What's important in life is different with each person you ask. In the scheme of life, it changes as the years pass. From your family, to your personal goals, to your spouse, to your house, to your kids and on, it will change.
It also changes as the circumstances in life change.
An illness, big health care bills, loss of a spouse or job, or just plain 'ol big life changes - these can all affect how we view what's important.
Lately, more & more American families have had to review what is most important in their lives. From the horrific storms in the Midwest and South, to the crumbling economy, many are facing the loss of... everything.
While we experience these tragedies in life, we take stock of what we have left, and what we are to do with what's left.
We look at our current, dire situation and think of where we were just 24 hours, two weeks or 2 years ago and it. is. crushing. No matter how we got to where we are now, we're here, and there's no other option but to go on.
How we handle loss differs from person to person as well. Many choose to pray for answers, and hope. Others can be quite destructive in their grief, compounding the most already devastating situation. No matter how we deal with it, the situation still exists, and we must go through it.
Getting through times like these in life is much easier said than done. We cannot do it alone. We need other people to lean on, to give advice, to listen. We need others with certain skills based on their own life experiences, we need them to be non-judgemental and love us - no matter where we are, or how we got there. It's hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel... I've been there with my own experiences, and at times it seemed impossible.
Sometimes, just a smile, a nice gesture, an understanding nod, a phone call just to say "Hi" are all that are needed to brighten someone's day. We never know what our neighbor, our parents, our co-worker or brother or sister are going through. We don't need to know details. We don't need to know personal things that some like to keep private. We need to remember that in all times in life, someone you meet everyday is looking at the sure fact that they are going to lose everything.
Those gestures and smiles will help to remind them that everything really isn't everything. Yeah, we've all heard, "At least you have your health," or "At least you still have your family." While these may seem cliche at the time they're said, it's true. We've all heard the saying that when God closes one door, He opens another. If we all look back on our lives, there have been tough times for all of us that seemed insurmountable. Somehow we made it through and our lives took a turn that brought us to where we are today. Do you remember the shoulder you cried on? Do you remember the person who sat on the phone with you, pumping you full of hope and promise? Do you remember the bible verses that gave you renewed faith?
These are the things we need to pass on to others in their time of need. Sometimes they ask for help, but not everyone is comfortable doing so. Sometimes we just need to stop being so focused on our own lives (especially when things are good) and look to others and see the signs. Make gestures that aren't provoked by request. Send a note, snail mail, to someone telling them you're thinking about them. Call them, even if you have to leave a voice mail, and don't expect a call back. Answer the phone when they do call, and set aside time to just listen.
There are so many people right now that are in the midst of losing everything. If you're reading this and you're one of them, just know that there is a dry side to that lake that's drowning you right now. There's hope for your future. There are better things just waiting for you to grab.
It's life.
It happens.
Just hang on to what you do have (it's NOT nothing - each one of us has something left) and know that you aren't losing everything. Try to focus on what your everything is right now.
Today I'm thankful that I've learned how to see what I have left - to see the blessing through tragedy. Though not always easy, I've come a long way in not wallowing in my sorrows.
Here are lyrics to a song I want you to read. I have seen these lyrics posted SO many times recently. Just read them, pray them and feel them.
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