Rugged Week
|
Mar 25, 2012
It's been a really long week...it started out not too bad with Round the Bays which was an awesome experience. We walked 8.4km as part of a charity fun run with Fit 4 Life around the Auckland Harbour with 70,000 other people....that was the fun part of the week.On Monday, we were confronted with the horrible news that a very close friend of ours was diagnosed with melanoma cancer. Our world shifted that day. We've spent a lot of time with them this week as they processed this new reality in their lives. It's been a tough week on them and on us as we begin this journey with them.
After such a difficult week, Bryce and I have been so tired. We've not only had our friend's illness, but we've had some work stuff going on as well as family arriving soon. It's been a hard week!! So, today we stayed home from church and instead Bryce led our family in a bible study about the sheep and goats found in Matthew. In that passage of the Bible it's talking about how there will be those who will be helping people, being kind and merciful to those in need as if it was Jesus standing there in front of them, and then there will be others who will have excuses and reasons why they couldn't help or shouldn't help and Jesus says they will be sent away from Him. I was quite convicted about how in the past I have said things like "That's just not my area of expertise, or gifting" and perhaps kept my distance.
In the last few years God has certainly been working in the area of mercy in my life. Firstly as I journeyed with my friend S as she struggled with trying to conceive a child and secondly, with my friend C as she faces the unimaginable loss of her 16 year old son to cancer. I've have learned much and been put into situations where I have felt so out of my depth and helpless and useless, but I have done it. And now, this new journey with my friend. Some days I am not sure if I can be what I need to be for these friends, but God has certainly met me and given me the strength to help and be there in any way I can.
It's been a rough week!! I hold my kids a little tighter and make sure I tell my husband how much I love him everyday. edit
