Struggles

I hear this word a lot. It is interesting what it gets associated with. Weight is a struggle. Time management is a struggle. Technology creates a struggle to keep up to date in its world. I struggle with........ starts many conversations.And that is immediately followed by the many things others struggle with also.

 I want to keep my struggles in perspective so I try to think of:...................

The struggle of an adolescent girl in a third world area struggling to carry enough water for the families daily use five kilometers home from the water truck.

The mother struggling with HIV is some world areas that has no one to care for her children as she lays dying when in my world helpful hands and medicine would strengthen her for years.

 A single mother who struggles from being laid off after believing the lie that easy pay plans and credit cards would safely answer her longing for nicer material things.

The honest hard working family member who struggles to cover for the addicted person who is making everyone's life miserable with their irresponsible lifestyle.

These things create a terrible struggle within me. A struggle which says, "how I can best be involved to alleviate some of the suffering My answer seems to simple for many who struggle with the problems of life. I turn to God with my struggles and struggling. He then directs my responses and resource and I find peace in the midst of the struggles of this life.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

A Friend

It is amazing how you can make a new friend. There is that "AHAA" moment when you are aware that there is more here than just the common activities we share. I have become aware that most modern "friendships" are not made of a shared deep relationship but just by sharing common activities. The Bible talks about a friend that sticks closer than a brother. I certainly hope so, many brothers hardly ever see each other. I often hear people talk about their friends but when I listen more closely they never see each other outside of a common interest they share. I have friends because we share common pasts. I have friends because we shared life at some point along our journey. I have friends that share a common interest. An interest which has given us a chance to share our real persons. God has given me different kinds of friends and I want to honor Him and them. If you consider me your friend I am blessed and privileged that you honor me with that distinction. My prayer is that today I may indeed live worthy of that trust as we share life together.