by Kristi Powers
Last night, while my eyes couldn't hold back the sleep that claimed them, my middle boy, Connor, prayed. Maybe that doesn't seem like a lot. But it is. It is the number one thing we can give to others. Our prayers. So while the sleep claimed me, he prayed for those dearest and nearest to his heart. As hearts are heavy with burden, he prayed. He wept with those who wept and mourned with those who mourned.
When one of Connor's best friends married, he was the first to help, the last to leave. He kept telling me over and over "I am so happy for them. Everyone should be so happy for them." I had never witnessed a groomsman so happy for another to marry. The joy was full in his heart. He rejoiced with those who rejoiced.
A few weeks ago, I received a phone call from one of our former youth. She had heard some devastating news to good friends of hers. Their son died. Tragic. Way too young. Gone in an instant. That former youth packed up her young family and drove many miles to attend the funeral. When she got there and saw the Dad of the son who died, he almost collapsed. The sobs. The hugs. The look on his face. She will never forget it. She mourned with one who mourned and wept with one who wept. She asked me, "Why don't people go out of their way to be there for people who are hurting, it seems anymore?"
I answered her with this: It makes us feel uncomfortable to mourn. Our own lives and our choices flow past our eyes. We then can't face that, so we withdraw. It comes off feeling hurtful and painful for the one who is grieving. For all they need is your presence. Your hug. Your hand.
In the same way, we can't rejoice with others. We look at our own lives compared to others. Instead of rejoicing, we envy. When we see a vacation, a new house, car, or relationship even, we let envy or competition take the place of what should be there instead, JOY.
So let me ask you. When was the last time you felt any kind of joy? Or has the root of bitterness risen up and choked all the joy from your life? Can you just be thankful for life, love, breath?
And equally, when was the last time you mourned with those who mourn? When was the last time, when you knew someone was hurting, that you bought them a coffee and heard their pain or sat and held their hand as they cried? Do you shy away from funerals and grieving and loss solely because you are so fixated with self?
If we are honest, WE are the problem. We don't have to look any further than the mirror to find our root. We envy. We compete. We covet. We can't seem to get over ourselves long enough to see around us.
Last night, while I slept. That boy I know showed me the way. I do not deserve all that God has given me. But I am thankful every day he saw fit to bless my life with them.
What are you thankful for? Who can you bless today? Who can you help today?
You will never regret the moments you step out from the mirror and step into another's life. Ever. Trust me.
Who is God calling you to rejoice with today? Who is God calling you to weep and mourn with?
God bless us all as we learn and grow. Even while we sleep....
Kristi Powers
NoodlesP29@aol.com
Copyright © 2017 by Kristi Powers
Write Kristi and let her know your thoughts on her writing!
Kristi is happily married to Michael and has three boys. Her writing appears in ten inspirational books,
including many in the Chicken Soup series and their own book entitled: Heart Touchers. Kristi is also a
homeschool mom and fills her "free time" doing Youth ministry alongside her husband at their church
and now around the world as they travel to different countries ministering to third culture kids and missionary families.
To read more of Kristi's writing visit: http://hearttouchers.com/kristi_powers
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