I have long been thinking about the tremendous burdens we are exposed to. Cancers, illnesses, tragedies. It is too much sorrow to take in. It's impossible to feel the appropriate amount of loss or sorrow for each case. And that's okay. Really.
This morning I read a post by Dr. David Murray, it said exactly what I've been trying to articulate. Read it here. So many are on sorrow overload. I want to add my two cents from a mom's perspective. A mom of a disabled baby.
Maybe you've been there. Perhaps you've just read about the latest development in somebody's life. Maybe it was the Diagnosis post I wrote.
If you're anything like me, you feel guilt. You feel guilty that you can go on with your life while others suffer in pain. You feel guilty for taking your healthy child for granted. You feel like if you don't thank God every day for keeping your child cancer free then you are not truly grateful.
I think you are carrying unnecessary burdens. Yes, live a life of thankfulness. Realize your blessings. But don't forget to live the life God has given you. Live it fully.
It's okay for you to go on with your life. It's okay for you to continue drinking your morning coffee. It's okay for you to enjoy it. It's okay for you to hug your children tight and thank God for his blessing. It's more than okay, it's good!
And while you live it, yes, please do remember us. How do you balance it? Well, when we come to mind, pray for us. When you have time and want to help, please do. Show compassion, love, mercy.
I think God does sometimes place specific burdens for families on specific people. One friend told me about her mother in Mexico that will wake up in the middle of the night with Calvin on her heart. She prays for him constantly. Those are special tastes of God's care for us. But it's simply not expected or realistic for everybody to carry the burden to this degree.
I don't know if this has made a lot of sense, I hope it has. I obviously don't represent all those that you read about with particular needs. It's just a little shout out from where I'm standing.
Now I'm going back to my morning coffee. And I'm enjoying it too.
P.S. I don't mean this flippantly.
P.P.S. I'd love to hear your thoughts.
6 comments:
I thought of you when I read that article just yesterday; it reminded me of a comment you wrote on my blog awhile ago when I posted about Job. I think, as in all things, balance is hard to achieve...I find myself very prone to fits and starts on both sides, you know? Anyway, good thoughts!
I love this - thank you for it.
That's a really good word, Kara. It is super challenging to balance the emotional burdens of the world with the joy of the day- guilt is often a by-product. Your perspective is amazingly valuable as one walking through fire and yet experiencing light therein. I am always encouraged by what you share- filled with new perspective, burdened and moved to prayer, given a glimpse of joy...thanks for your ministry to us through what God is doing in your life just now.
Well said Kara. It's important to enjoy the good things God gives us well as struggling with the rough things in life. So right now I'm enjoying the knowledge that two beautiful new healthy (at least as far as I've heard they are both healthy) babies have joined the Logos family (current & staff alumni). At the same time, I think of you, and your struggles with Calvin and my heart breaks for you and him. Then I also remember your other three kiddos and praise God for your whole family! You're precious every one of you. Love you all. Thanks for helping keep us all honest with ourselves.
Thanks for your input, friends. It is hard to achieve balance but good to at least have benchmarks in our thought processes. I so appreciate your comments and I love hearing from you! Rhianna, last night Darryl and I went on a date to a restaurant, Little Bangkok, our talk was filled with reminiscing of Thailand and Cambodia. Remember that Mexican lunch we had at the Emporium? Yum!
Oops...that last comment was from me. Logged on as Darryl accidentally. I don't think Darryl even reads my blog ;).
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