Today I Have a Sense of- Other Pilgrim's Journeys

One of my prayers in the past year or so is that God would not only help me to see the blessings He is placing in my life through my illness, but that He would cause me to remember and relish.

So I wish to share with you a random blessing that I desire not to forget. It's not profound but I find it simply breathtaking. 

For the longest period of time, I dreaded hearing my name among other's conversations. People were always asking my Mom for an update on my health. It was humiliating. Why must everyone discuss me and my problems twenty four- seven? I could go on and on about how much God has changed my heart in this matter but I will spare you the details and just say this. NEVER shy away from sharing your weaknesses and sufferings with others. It will not only bless you but hundreds of others in ways you could never have imagined. I personally have been the recipient of incredible blessings from humble souls, more than willing to pour out their bleeding hearts before me. Suffering, among each member of the body, even in all of it's unpleasantness, brings great unity to the Church as a whole.

Have you ever caught yourself in conversation with someone and find yourself blinking, hoping and praying that you are not dreaming? The person across from you seems to be flowing forth wisdom. As the conversation moves forward, you catch sight of the source from which the fountain flows. The scar, the wound, deep within their side. Tears well up within your eyes, then you glance upward and regard a beaming face. You gaze deep into the eyes of this faithful pilgrim and you sense a quietude of soul reigning within. A peace beyond belief, a calm assurance in Christ.
And it causes you to marvel. You ask yourself- Who am I to be benefitting from this blessed saint? Their contented joy seems almost unearthly and you feel more than honored when they ask you to join with them in prayer for whatever their struggle may be.

God has allowed me numerous times to come in contact with incredible sturdy believers because of that very "problem" that I at times so wish to avoid. It happens to me all the time now- "Oh, have you met Meghan, I know she has had some similar health issues."
Not only am I blessed over and over again by the mercy and work of Christ in other's lives, it has helped me put my problems in perspective, when I watch others remaining steadfast as they endure much greater hardship than I ever have.

As a selfish person, my tendency is to turn inward whenever I experience personal loss. Forgetting to look outside my own little bubble, I begin to think my own life is doubly hard compared to everyone else's.

"I don't think they really understand just how hard this is!"
Satan works diligently to assure me of the validity behind this lie and there have been times in which I have bitten into this falsehood. Each time, I have found that when I choose to dwell on my own burdens I miss out on reaping some of God's greatest gifts given, to comfort my soul.

Usually when I am feeling alone in my journey of suffering it is because I am thinking too highly of myself to stoop down and consider the sorrows and pains of those around me. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

My Father's mercy is such a mystery. I don't want to miss out on the awesome gift of partaking in the bounty of His labor in other's lives!!! 

For the humble pilgrim, this journey and passage is never made alone.