Yesterday was a hard day. Too many things went wrong. And you know how when that happens, it's so easy to slip into a 'why me?' pattern and feel that you've already had your fair share of suffering? Well, that was me. It was easy to complain. It took pages, rather than paragraphs, to vent my frustrations in my journal.
I pray for peace. I pray for clarity of mind. I pray for perspective.
Today was a hard day too. I still have all the same problems, maybe a few more. (When it rains, it pours, doesn't it?) But today my focus has been on something strangely different.
Gratitude.
Today two families came to my attention. One of whom I know, the other I just read of today. Both of them are in Phoenix hospitals praying for miracles. The first family's 20 month old daughter was run over by a car in their driveway. The car was driven by a family friend, and it seems they are as concerned about him and his well-being as they are their daughter, who suffered multiple head fractures and a blood clot and who has an unknown prognosis.
The second family lives in Mesa, but the husband and wife were flying with a flight instructor to northern AZ when the plane crashed and the instructor was killed, and though the couple survived, they are in dangerously critical condition. He has burns over 30% of his body, and she is burned over 80% of hers. They are parents to four children under the age of ten, with a one year old. She has kept a widely popular blog celebrating the beauty and joy of motherhood. Now she is clinging to life. My heart aches! I went to her blog, having never heard of her before (and we don't have TV anymore, so I didn't catch the story that has aired on The Today Show and other programs), and it was so haunting to see her radiant face in her entries just days before her life would hang in the balance. Three days before she was on a date with her husband at a Diamondback's game, just glowing. It so moved me. You just never know in life, do you. I forgot all about my troubles, serious as they are in their own right.
You know that saying that if all the trials were laid out in a big pile before us, we would still choose our own? I believe that's true. But thank goodness for prayer.
9 comments:
I'm so sorry you're struggling hun, but so grateful that you received that beautiful answer to prayer. Turning our attention outwards might not fix things, but the shift in perspective sure can make a difference. ~hugs~
You know that couple, I went to highschool with him and had the HUGEST crush on him.
I was so shocked when I went to her blog and saw that he was her husband. Absolutley nuts.
oh my goodness!!!
I get that way too and thinking of other families who I can be praying for or taking care of, really helps put my own selfishness in perspective...
It does give a mighty shift when we look at other people and the bulk of their trials--I've followed the blogger story as well and it just breaks my heart. Keep in mind, though, that truly horrible things happen to someone else doesn't negate what we are struggling with. I think you're facing it just right--being grateful, but I hope you don't find yourself feeling guilty for having a hard time with your own trials. We all get a different bag, but heartache is heartache and none of us got skipped.
Those stories are really really sad, indeed. Horrible things happen to people around us all the time, whether they're people we know or not -- I'm with josi: have compassion for others but also have compassion for yourself. The fact that *it could be worse* doesn't mean you shouldn't feel whatever it is you feel when your own life is hard.
Love,
Mom
Your final comment reminded me of a story called, "The Trouble Pile" I think you can google search it...Sometimes it's hard to believe we wouldn't trade our trials for anyone else's, but I know I am sure grateful I don't have some of the trials others have. Heavenly Father knows what we can handle, even if we don't.
HANG ON!
When you can't see, can't think, can't make sense... just hang on!
I love you!
Life does throw us curve balls every once and a while... thanks for your post. You have a good heart! :=)
Again, as I said in my last comment..I hope you find some clarity.. I remember reading the story if Nie.. it was terrible and tragic and really does make you put life into perspective...
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