Tonight I am up way past when I should be...knowing I have to get up in the morning with little ones. I am struggling to go to sleep because my mind is wondering and thinking about the last 24 hours. I am so sleepy, but can't just can't seem to get to sleep and find rest.
Last night we were in the ER with Bug...she's totally fine now...but we were there for five long hours. I woke so exhausted and tired but thankful for my child's safety and for the God moment I experienced while waiting to be seen at the ER. My hubby and I were able to spend time with a amazing couple who have journeyed far ahead of us on this special needs road...and we were able to soak up their wisdom. I was, oddly, thankful for having to be there because I was so encouraged in my own journey with Bug. I was reminded that our family dynamic is different and that's okay. Yes, we are going to struggle...but there is peace in knowing that we don't have to do things in any specific way.
An aha moment of sorts for myself and the hubbs. I realized later in the day that my visit with this couple left me feeling so renewed and joyful, that I was able to see other things and other peoples struggles around me.
Later in the morning, I found out that a sweet friend had three little ones placed in her home to foster...and they came with nothing but the clothes on their backs. I got to spend time with these precious kiddos and was able to see the hands and feet of Jesus working together for this family. People showing up with meals, to help with laundry...to just BE there for them. I enjoyed having the ability to love on these beautiful kids that have truly had their lives stirred and shaken beyond belief.
It was such an incredible blessing to me.
This evening, after putting the littles to bed, I started thinking to myself that there are so many missed opportunities for His glory. We see things every single day on facebook and social media about needs that could be so easily met. A meal for a family that is struggling, donations for kids in foster care, collections of clothes for families displaced, furnishing apartments for single moms...so many things that we just don't even take a second look at. Oh, but if we would just stop for a moment and take the opportunity to notice someone elses needs/wants/struggles/heartache. I've been locked up in my own little heartache for the past few weeks that I wasn't able to truly see the utter pain in others lives. The reward, the joy and the blessing of being involved in anothers hurt is worth it.
Sometimes, I believe we are so caught up in our own situation and dark place that we forfeit opportunities that God clearly lays in our midst to bring us closer to Him. This life is NOT about us. We are just blips on the radar of time. Our sole purpose as the body of Christ is to reach others for Christ...we do so by being the hands and feet. Actions speak so much louder than idle words.
This challenge is for myself and for my fellow brothers and sisters...step out of your comfort zone, your social-security blanket of sorts and realize that God has made us each so very different and yet beautiful at the same time. Don't continue to daily exist in your own little world--use each and every day God gives you and DO SOMETHING FOR THE KINGDOM. I struggle with not always acting when I feel the urge of the Lord to do so...and I loose out on blessings when I do so. I miss the opportunity to do something for the Lord...something He specifically called me to do.
Don't do the same.
I am so thankful that I had that aha moment...and so blessed to have spent time with a precious couple in the ER that reminded me that I can truly find peace and joy in the midst of our families struggles and heartache...God also revealed to me today that the greatest way to find joy and peace is to be actively seeking Him in EVERY situation.
Blessings,
K
Blessed and Adored
Thanks for the reminder oh "fellow struggler." I think we struggle so much because we feel that we can't do "something big" to help others, but really the saying "little is much when God is in it" is so true. When I was sick with cancer, a friend came and straightened out my plasticware that my family had tried to "organize." A simple thing, but a big deal to me. I also had friends come and do laundry for me, a group of ladies came for 2 hours and cleaned my house (humbling), some just dropped off a meal, but ALL of it was SO appreciated.
ReplyDeleteI think that too often in today's society we have believed the misconception that we don't want to "intrude." But more than not, I find people in need are grateful for anything we can give or do. Let's do SOMETHING....