Someone asked me yesterday if I was going to participate in a particular activity; to which I replied no, my leg, hip and lungs wouldn't allow it.
And then they said, "You know, if I were you, and a believer, I'd be really mad at God for all that crap you live with." (Maybe they used stronger language....)
After a moment's thought, I explained to them that any and all my challenges were, in their way, just blessings that helped me value life all the more, and to treasure my faith all the more. But as I was thinking of it a bit ago, this further came to mind.....
We're a culture that loves to indulge in self-pity. (I do, from time to time, don't you?) We want to feel sorry for ourselves. Part of that comes from our adoration, as a culture, of pretty, perfect rich people who of course only make us see the flaws in ourselves all the more clearly. (How many girls grew up playing with Barbies, only to have self-hate issues later?)
And while an occasional bout of feeling sorry for ourselves and whining is okay (after all, we all have crappy days)....indulging in it full time, or even part-time, is wrong.
Because, in the grand scope of things, we have nothing to feel sorry for ourselves over.
You're on the computer, phone or tablet reading this right now, right? That means you're richer than most of the world.
Got lots of food in your house, and the ability to get more? You're better off than those starving in Africa or North Korea right now, or the plethora of other places with starving populations.
Have access to water? There are people who die of dehydration, or water borne illnesses from having no access to clean water.
Inside a house or apartment? That means you're better off than those living in hovels made of dirt, tin, plywood or cardboard. Or those without any shelter at all.
Do you have friends and family that love you? There are people who don't, or who don't feel like they do.
Have medical issues....but have medication? There are people who die from simple illnesses because they don't have access to medicine. Nothing to stop dysentery or the common cold from turning to pneumonia.
There are people all around the world, even in our own country, who lack the things that most of us take for granted. There are people near or in your community sleeping out in the cold right now, or who don't know where their next meal is coming from. Or who lack warm clothing.
You have your challenges. I have mine. But we are blessed. Blessed beyond belief. We mainly have to focus on our "wants" rather than face death because we can't get any of our "needs."
Yeah, I have health problems. There are conditions that have to be monitored and watched. There are things I can't do. So what. I have so much to be grateful for it would be a sin for me to dwell on the few things that aren't ideal.
Because today is another day where I was able to get up, bless the Lord, pray, talk with my husband, stand in front of a cozy heater and contemplate what to make for meals. I am able to access the internet, connect with my friends. I was petting my cat, thinking how our pets have more security than so many *people* do in the world.
There's a snow storm coming, and we're not even fretting it, we have what we need.
I have no reason to complain, and to be ungrateful would be to deny what gifts and blessings that God has mercifully provided. And because He has blessed us so, that gives us time and opportunity to advocate for those who have less, to pray, and to give.
In a world where someone dies every 3 seconds from a poverty related cause (75% of whom are children)....take a moment to realize just how blessed you really are.
Gratitude does wonders for the heart.
You're blessed, my friends, may you be a blessing unto someone else,
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