I’m not sure that I have a lot to share this week…it’s been a pretty emotional and stressful week at our house this week.
It kind of builds on the boundaries and blessings post I wrote a few weeks ago. A dear friend lost her husband this week. My heart aches for her and their children. I can’t imagine how difficult it must be to continue after losing your lifemate. While we, as believers, have hope in death, it doesn’t take away the distress of losing someone we love.
We also found out that several other friends are hurting or diagnosed with illnesses such as cancer and multiple sclerosis. Emotionally it’s been difficult for us. We don’t know how to support these friends other than to pray and be there, but it just doesn’t seem enough. We know that God has a plan and He is sovereign. We thank Him for the blessings we’ve been given and we pray for those who are hurting. We rejoice and mourn with our friends. Always trusting and leaning on our everlasing God.
This week has helped remind me just how blessed we are to have another day with our loved ones, a healthy day and to treasure those special moments. (that sounds so cliche’ but it’s true). I have spent the better part of the last 2 weeks wallowing in my own self pity because things weren’t going the way I wanted them to. I’ve been throwing a big grown up hissy fit because my life wasn’t moving in the direction I wanted it to go (well it has been, but it isn’t moving fast enough and I want it right now instead of allowing it to be a process). God is working on me and I’m learning to wait. But this past week has helped me to see my life from a different perspective. I am blessed and I need to quit being such a baby, God has a plan…He’s in charge…not me. Be thankful. I am thankful for the work God is doing in my life and I am thankful for the lessons He is teaching me. Even if they’re tough (see humbling) ones.
As far as it goes with your friends that are diagnosed with a serious illness I can tell you from experience what I have appreciated. I have appreciated those who have listened, really listened, to me when I need to talk about my condition. And when I talk they ask questions and are genuinely concerned and interested. They don't take it lightly but they're engaged in what is happening to me.
What I haven't appreciated is when I talk and it is taken lightly…kind of blown off…like "Oh, you're just fine, it's not serious"…or if people ask me how I am doing and I start telling them and their eyes glaze over and they go to gaga land…I usually don't need/want to tell people exactly how I'm feeling but if someone asks me they need to be ready for me to tell them if I need to. Those are just my thoughts and what I've experienced in the last year and a half.