How wonderful it is to live in a country that sets aside one day per year for the purpose of showing gratitude. I'm not really sure who you thank if you aren't a Believer in Jesus. Yourself? Your Mom?
I had real pain for the first time last night. So far pain hadn't been one of my symptoms, but it reared its ugly head last night. Up to this point, I hadn't really thought about how it might physically feel to fight this battle. As I lay there waiting for the Tylenol PM to work its magic, my mind wandered to stories I've heard about friends with cancer, and I got scared.
I am an admitted whimp when it comes to pain. I don't like it and try to avoid it if at all possible. Then I thought about all the people I know who are in constant pain. My Dad has been suffering for over 20 years after both of his shoulders were crushed in a submarine accident. A friend, Scott, also has severe shoulder pain every day. I've known people with terrible back pain from old injuries and several women with fibromyalgia. How do they keep functioning? How do they not lose hope?
I rarely ask that question when I talk to them. I usually avoid the subject of their misery when I can. To ask the question and invite the conversation would cost me something. I would have to join in their suffering and share some of their pain. Am I willing to do that? I think perhaps now I am.
So today, I am thankful that I suffered last night. It reminded me of my friends who endure this on a regular basis and how selfish I've been in not coming alongside them and carrying part of their burden, even if just for a little while. And I was reminded that Jesus did that for me. He saw our suffering and misery, left His Father's side, and came alongside us to carry our burden. While he did suffer horribly on the Cross, he also walked with us, made friends, saw their pain and wept. What a Savior. Thank you.
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