A gentle breeze blows goes oft unnoticed in time of turmoil. We tend to get fixated and focused in the immediacy of what appears a life crisis or buried by the heap of things to do, that we miss the subtle blessings that can bolster us in troubled times. When I speak of 'crises' and 'heaps' the gamut can range from incidental to intense, mild to massive. But such struggles easily draw our focus away from seeing the gentle breezes that fill our lives and the joy that may reside deeply within us.
I find the 'indicator' of my place in this state of crisis or heap can be found as I examine that which consumes most of my thinking. Is it focused on me? Do I find myself regularly throwing myself pity parties, looking around thinking, woe is me? Another question I consistently ask myself is 'who is the benefactor of what I am doing?' If it is mostly self directed, occurring with great regularity, it is probably not healthy. I have discovered that my perspective vastly transforms when I invest my life into the lives of others. When I do and go I find my life isn't as troubled as I tend to believe. When I enter another troubled soul's life, I discover that my presence does much to reduce or bring comfort in the midst of their 'troubles', with mine fading in the depth of theirs. I can feel the gentle breeze in my life when I help them notice it in the midst of their anguish. What is wonderful too is when, I, at some point finding myself in true anguish, am met with one who does the same for me.
I have found that a soul once troubled, brought through the intense anguish and questioning, to the other side is best suited to bring comfort to another soul feeling troubled. Other crucial discoveries are, that my presence in their lives, in the midst of their struggle speaks enough, and I need add little else other than words of prayer and care.
Surely my friends enduring the ravages of cancer, and their families have significantly deeper angst than that which resides in me. Indeed, my friend who just lost her mom is reeling in the midst of mourning. Others who have lost and may soon lose their homes are trying to figure out their next step. My trouble? Being unemployed for a year now. Not unimportant, just less significantly troubling as that which several of my friends are enduring.
Yes, I have walked in the valley of the shadow of death. As we all will one day too. But nothing brings hope like having and knowing a loving and just God, who has forgiven and will forgive my selfishness and lead me into the lives of others in need with mine in tow. I do know that two sets of footprints together walking significantly improves both our faith walks. Significance is found when two walk in the shadows of life and living. I love being the gentle breeze in the life of another, for I am grateful for the others who have been such to me. What do you think? But more importantly, what will you do and whom do you know, could use a gentle breeze in their life today?
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