May 6, 2019

                I’m sure that all of you have moments when you are forced to examine or re-examine attitudes or life itself. I had such an experience driving home recently, and I want to share some thoughts with you. The day actually began with an appointment and then a very nice lunch with my beloved brother and then a bridal shower for a very special young friend.
              However, at that event I spent time with a woman who has coped with a crippling disease most of her life and was dependent on a walker. She had actually dared -- after three years of caregiving with a loved one dealing with cancer as well as diabetes, loss of a foot and rehabilitation  – to leave him at a bookstore temporarily and attend an event on her own.
              At that same event I was aware that the bride’s mother was unable to attend because after years of coping with multiple sclerosis, she is less and less able to communicate or to go out in public. She will attend a small family wedding ceremony but not the regular wedding itself because crowds and pressure are beyond her ability to cope.
              They are all in my prayers, of course. But my drive home included much reflection as well as prayer. I realized first that I was able to drive my car the 100 miles home, something I take for granted as much as walking out the front door. Beyond that, of course, I have a busy schedule which takes me to multiple event in multiple places. How often do I thank God?
              During that drive, I realized that when my husband and I have periods of difficulty, dealing with his sporadic sciatica and lower back pains and dealing with my neuropathy in my feet, we tend to see them as major. Reflecting on the lives of people dealing with major illnesses and conditions, people being limited to the point of not attending events I would not consider missing, suddenly what my husband and I cope with seemed so minor.
              What would Jesus say about all this? During this Easter season, I have spoken of His compassion, and we see that compassion in all of His dealing with people. Jesus above all others would react with understanding and compassion for all that we deal with. Hallelujah!