Misery Loves Company...for a more positive spin..Were All In This Together!

Lately, as I walk through this season of my life, many people have come across my path that are dealing with things I am dealing with or are now going through a very difficult road, one in which God has also allowed me to travel, but has lead me to the INCREDIBLE beauty that is on the other side. To say that I love to know that others are hurting and suffering too, is NOT my heart at all. But to say that it is nice to see the purpose of some of our sufferings and the good God can bring from it, well that IS my heart :) I know it is no accident that God has given us people to walk this journey with us everyday. He is very intentional about telling us in the Bible that we are not meant to go through this life alone. He tells us he will never leave us or forsake us. He promises to always be by our side. He also promises that there will be trials. In Isaiah 43 he tells us that we WILL walk through the fire, but we will not be burned, he tells us here that we will absolutely face trials, BUT he will always pull us through, he will not allow us to be harmed or taken over, HE WILL hold us up. In Isaiah 41 he tells us he will uphold us with his righteous right hand. In John, and I am sorry I cannot remember the chapter right now, guess you have to read the whole book :) ANYWAYS...In John he tells us, in the world you WILL have trouble, BUT take heart, for I have overcome the world!! In all of these scriptures and many more, God promises us that while we will face trial and while at times life may get VERY DIFFICULT, one thing is sure, we will NEVER face it alone! This being said, I am AMAZED at the people God has blessed me with and placed in my life at the times that he does. And I hope and pray that at times, I am a also a blessing to those people, a shoulder to cry on, a very short shoulder, but a shoulder none the less :) or a rock to lean on, again, a small, not very strong rock, but I hope Im there :) and maybe at times, just an ear to listen. In all of this, I just want to be to these people a small portion of what they have been to me :) Lately, it seems that every blog I read, every article or book I read, every movie I watch, and every friend I encounter is related to or going through the very same things that I am facing, or, as I said earlier, a road that I have just recently travelled. I have several friends right now who are dealing with anxiety and depression. And I can tell you from experience, that the fact they even shared is a feat in and of itself. However, its also been amazing that I have been able to come along side many of them and say 2 things. First of all, IT GETS BETTER and secondly, even on the days when its not, we serve a God who will give you the strength to make it through. Anxiety is something I struggle with on and off in my everyday life. It is sometimes the silliest craziest things that I get worried about too. But you see, as my friends have come to me and expressed many of the same feelings or concerns, I have quickly seen WHY God allowed me to go through it. Its so that we can lean on one another and it is here, in our vulnerability, that a door is opened to see the face of God! Depression is something that is NOT foreign to my family. It is hard for me to say that, but not as hard as it used to be. Growing up, my brother and I saw our mom suffer from depression alot. It was a very difficult thing to see. We watched some of our Aunts and Uncles suffer too, and as a little child, it is hard to understand or know what to do to help someone. To be honest, as an adult its hard to watch someone suffer from depression. It truly is like watching the joy be sucked from someones soul! Bryan (my brother) and I were bestfriends growing up, and a good part of the reason for that, was that we needed to lean on one another. I believe with all my heart that God gave us one another because he knew what would come down the road for us and he knew we would need one another. You see, God does not intend for us to face these trials alone. It is in all of those sufferings, that lately, I have been able to step along side some of my friends who are facing these very deep valleys as well. I can indentify with them, I can love them and care for them and tell them that no matter what, I WILL stand by them. You see, Depression is an ugly thing. I remember a few months ago being at the doctor for my mom, dad and I were sitting there and one doctor remarked to my dad, that he was amazed and impressed by him. My dad inquired why and the doctor went on to say, "I have seen many families come in to my offices suffering from depression, and many times, people end up coming back alone, because their family would not choose to stand by them any longer, YOU have not only chosen to stand by your wife, but you love her with the same love you did before she became depressed". my dad looked at the doctor shocked and said, "I love my wife, she is the same woman I fell in love with 30 years ago, and I dont intend on ever leaving her". WHAT AN INCREDIBLE WITNESS! and these are the 2 people God has blessed me with in my life. BUt it truly is an example of unconditional love. My father looks at my mother with the same love he did when he first met her. I hope that to my friends who are going through this, I can demonstrate some of that unconditional love as well and walk with you through a journey that I know JUST PLAIN SUCKS! God has also been talking to me alot about listening to his call, about being in full time ministry and about having faith in him, even when nothing around me makes sense. While I have learned many lessons while working here at the daycare, I will be VERY HONEST and tell you, I know that this is NOT where God wants me for the rest of my life! In fact, he has been stirring me alot and saying "how long are you going to mess around before you get serious about being in true ministry for me?" WOW! What a question. I was reading the story of Gideon in Judges the other day, and I guess what I could say is, "Well, I am holding on for my fleece to appear and for you to show me what is next God!" But in it all, I want to hold firm to him and his heart beat and plan for my life. I just want to say that I am truly thankful for the people God has blessed me with. I am NOT WORTHY of the family God has given me. I do not deserve many of the amazing friends I have. But in all of it, I truly praise God that he has seen fit to bless me with WAY MORE than I could ever deserve! Love You All!!! Becky