Once upon a time, I thought this saying was a godly, comforting, kind message to share with a hurting heart. But, I’ve revised my thinking, and see this adage as about as useful as a used tissue when we are ministering to a soul in distress.
Yes, we need to get a grip when life hits us upside the head. (See Psalm 30)
But if Christ himself refrained from lecturing those who had been slammed by disease, death, and disappointment, I can sure try and avoid waxing philosophical about pain from which God is shielding me today.
I don’t know what it is – yet – to walk the paths grandmothers in the Middle East must walk because of war and terrorism. (In Syria, Attacks Target Christians, Civilians) Grandmothers in Baltimore and Chicago know.
Nor, do I know what it is to see my country cowed by drug cartels — for now.
seriously
For that matter, God has spared me the sight of children dying from malaria, polio, and other plagues that heretofore hygiene, clean water, and vaccinations have defeated. Given the failure, reluctance, or ineptness of some of our elected officials, and voters, this too could pass.
So, tonight I am grateful that God is at work where He is – and O! How I ask Him to extend His grace and peace to the hurting. (Especially as I am listening to John Williams’ theme for Schindler’s List.)
Heartbreaks and hurts today are still real and deep. People’s problems are disturbing, too; some hard to fathom; many hard to behold.
The wounds may heal; the scars won’t. Meanwhile, Engage!
Pay mind to your own life, your own health, and wholeness. A bleeding heart is of no help to anyone if it bleeds to death. ― Frederick Buechner
Even at my age; especially at my age!
What is going to pass in this crazy upside place is the grass and flowers I so love; maybe even heaven and earth. (Isaiah 40:8) But not people: Souls are eternal, treaurse, irreplaceable, and non-interchangeable; every single one is precious in God’s eyes.
If we have a pulse, we have a purpose! (Paul Newman)
God help the people who have the reins of power – and help me do what I can, while I can – for this chance will pass too. (Luke 16:10)
So, “just for today,” I can try, anyway.
“Compassion is the sometimes fatal capacity for feeling what it is like to live inside somebody else’s skin. It’s the knowledge that there can never really be any peace and joy for me until there is peace and joy finally for you too. ” ― Frederick Buechner
PS– Please click the above link, Just for Today — it’s heart medicine!