When It Rains...It Pours!

I was running with a friend the other day.  We were talking about some of the things that have been happening in her family lately.  It seems every time we get together, something else "bad" has happened.  She made the comment, "Come on God.  Haven't I had enough yet?".

I got a text from another woman.  I have been praying for her and her sister who has been going through a lot of different life-threatening health concerns and PTSD.  They are dealing with the death of both parents in the past few months, life-threatening ER visits, testing for some serious illnesses...  Then, she texts me last night, please pray for my sister.  She has to put her dog down tonight.  I thought, "Really God?  Hasn't she had enough?"

Isn't the old saying true, "When it rains, it pours!"?  I say emphatically YES!  I know the human spirit is strong.  But what is the tipping point?  At what point will my heart, my mind...MY SANITY say, "Enough!" 

I was talking with a friend this morning who had lost her mother unexpectedly not too long after my nephew died.  I asked her how she was doing.  She said, "Not so well."  She said that she can go for days, maybe even weeks with things seemingly alright, but then something will just explode.  I told her that's exactly how I have been.  I feel like, ok.  I can handle this grief.  I think I'm handling it well, but then something out of the ordinary happens and I realize, I spend so much energy in trying for the "norm" from the grief, that I've exhausted everything I have for anything else. 

Issues that are seemingly insignificant - they're HUGE.  Minor disagreements become an EXCHANGE OF WORDS Blow-out.  My resolve melts like putty as the tears roll from my eyes because I have no strength left to stand.  Quiet, alone-time is like torture.

I am just venting now.  This is my outlet.  This is my emotion.  It's very real to me. 

Some mornings, I wake up on top of the world.  Other mornings, I feel like the world is on top of me.  I roll over...wanting to go back to sleep, but ROUTINE is my friend.  It's time for Boot Camp.  It's time to run. 

I'm greatful that I have a loving Heavenly Father that has been ever so gracious towards me.  I have felt His strength when I have been so weak.  Somehow, no matter what happens, I have this sense of peace, deep-down inside that says, "It's gonna be alright."  I don't know how.  I don't see.  I can't even imagine it most of the time, but I have learned to Trust Him.

I am greatful for the friends and wise-counselors He has placed around me.  I have found comfort in just spending time with friends who are loving and caring - who I can trust - who can trust me.  I love knowing they are praying for me...they pray with me.  They're not afraid to push me when they ask how I'm doing.

I'm also finding there's a strength in helping others, even in your own time of need.  A wise pastor once said, "Minister out of your own need."  Somehow, I find that what I am needing is given to me as I give to others.

Yeah, so its been raining, no POURING for awhile now.  I think it's time for some sunshine!