Trading places
I had a chat with a friend of mine tonight. Well, we texted each other back and forth, kind of comparing where each of us was today. Both of us don't understand why everything goes wrong in our lives. I don't know that wrong is the correct word, but it seems that no matter what either of us does to change our circumstances, they remain the same.
In her point of view, though, I'm better off than her. I would feel just exactly the opposite and sometimes you can share a lesson in what's important even when you don't mean to.
My friend rents a room in a house with some other people. It's all she can afford. She only works three days a week right now and cannot find a job. She would benefit greatly from health insurance if her employer provided it.
On the other hand, I have a lovely home and a job that pays well and has benefits. I'm blessed beyond measure that way and I know it. I don't flaunt it; I spend what I make and struggle financially. Everything hurts these days and I feel that pain every day. I'm always broke. Always. To remedy that, I work six days a week usually. I'm not complaining. When my friend looks at my life, that's what she sees.
She speaks to her kids. They only call her when they want something or to complain I was told. I know she doesn't mean it that way, but she's just having a day. My friend is blessed beyond measure and doesn't see it.
Or maybe she does because I told her I'd trade places with her in a minute.
It's not about the stuff, the job, the money... it's about what I don't have. I lost everything that mattered. Sometimes God takes things away or allows things to be taken away when it suits His purposes. I heard it put this way once, which is very true: If God didn't stop at the cross with His own Son, what makes you think anything's off limits in your life? God will do whatever is necessary to keep His own.
Kind of humbling when you think of it.
In her point of view, though, I'm better off than her. I would feel just exactly the opposite and sometimes you can share a lesson in what's important even when you don't mean to.
My friend rents a room in a house with some other people. It's all she can afford. She only works three days a week right now and cannot find a job. She would benefit greatly from health insurance if her employer provided it.
On the other hand, I have a lovely home and a job that pays well and has benefits. I'm blessed beyond measure that way and I know it. I don't flaunt it; I spend what I make and struggle financially. Everything hurts these days and I feel that pain every day. I'm always broke. Always. To remedy that, I work six days a week usually. I'm not complaining. When my friend looks at my life, that's what she sees.
She speaks to her kids. They only call her when they want something or to complain I was told. I know she doesn't mean it that way, but she's just having a day. My friend is blessed beyond measure and doesn't see it.
Or maybe she does because I told her I'd trade places with her in a minute.
It's not about the stuff, the job, the money... it's about what I don't have. I lost everything that mattered. Sometimes God takes things away or allows things to be taken away when it suits His purposes. I heard it put this way once, which is very true: If God didn't stop at the cross with His own Son, what makes you think anything's off limits in your life? God will do whatever is necessary to keep His own.
Kind of humbling when you think of it.
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