How many times (a day) do I "beat myself up" because I don't possess "super powers" that allow to me say "yes" to every single person who "needs" a yes in their life? How many times do I look in the mirror and say to myself "I can't help because it won't be enough (so I can't do anything at all)." How many times do I look at someone else and think "how come I'm not (descriptive adjective) ... like them?" (The answer is, way too many times!!) I, more than I care to admit, find myself quite easily slipping into these lines of thinking.
But recently, my somewhat limited perspective changed.
"Hands often speak as voices can’t. A warm embrace conveys volumes.
A laugh together unites us. A moment of sharing refreshes our souls. We cannot always lift the burden of one who is troubled, but we can lift them so they can bear it well."
When I heard the sister speaking share this simple, yet profound insight (along with an excellent talk!), a flood of thoughts rushed into my head and my heart...
No matter how much we want our lives to be "perfect and uncomplicated" - it never will be. Life's highway is full of challenges, trials, and blessings. (Want to know the difference between a weed and a plant? The location. Same can be said about a challenge and a blessing!) It's during these crazy moments that we learn and grow the most.
It's easy to feel like we don't have the time, talents, or means to help lift others. But that doesn't mean that we shouldn't take the time to stop for a moment and think about what we can do to care for ourselves. Sometimes the person that needs the most love is US!
We often look at others and simply see the "exterior" - how they look, how they dress, how they present themselves - and all too often forget the "interior" - how they truly feel, what they worry about, what makes life worth living. We should never be quick to judge, but rather be quick to care (especially when sometimes we wonder if it is enough or if it will mean anything at all!)
We don't have to solve a problem to be helpful - sometimes the smallest thing turns out to be the BIGGEST thing to someone who is struggling. (I can't tell you how many times the smallest thing turns out to a "life preserver" during a time I feel that I am sinking!) It doesn't take much to listen, laugh, and love and for it to be meaningful and even cherished - which may be the very thing they need to keep going (so they can bear well their burdens).
Often, God touches our lives through another person and even more often, God touches our lives by asking us to reach out to another person. We should take more care to consider and follow the strong promptings and gentle nudges from the Spirit.
Lost and Found, image by Greg Olsen
As I was once told:
Even though life is hard, keep going. Even though sometimes life may not feel like its worth living, keep trying. Each day is a new day. In the end, it will all be worth it.
Sarah
