Somebody has it worse!

Some people just have it worse.

I am someone who feels awful for anyone going through a hard time, even if it's just a toothache.

And let's be real... a toothache can be a very big deal!

I hate to see someone hurting when recovering from a surgery, even if I have been through the same thing.

I hate seeing someone have the flu, because I get the flu once a year and it stays for about a week usually. And I usually am thinking I am going to die that week because of how awful I feel.

I hate to see someone hurting from the loss of an unborn child. I have been there. Sure, everyones experience is different, like all things in life, but I know what the sting feels like when losing someone you have never met. I used to think, "oh, that would be so hard to go through." Then, I went through it. And the word "hard," doesn't come close to how it really is.

I can't stand to see someone be lonely, and wait and wait for their spouse to show up one day, and years later, they still haven't arrived.

I can't stand to see someone struggle with their self-worth.

I really hate to see someone commit suicide.

Or even contemplate it.

I grew up in a home where my dad was an alcoholic until I was 12. That wasn't always easy, but I know someone on a personal level who is married and gone from their home and her dad has not only been an alcoholic, but also into drugs, in and out of jail/prison and just finished a divorce with his high school sweet heart.

I would love a big family. 3 or 4 kids. Grant would like 10 I think! We have a healthy, smart, beautiful little girl who is 2 years old here with us to love and cherish. I have a friend who just found out she basically can never carry or give birth to her own child. I have another friend who recently lost her baby boy at 21 weeks pregnant. No reason. No infection. Nothing wrong with her or him. It just happened. No answers.

 You want to talk about hard. That would be hard. And I saw this girl do nothing but hold her head high through it all. And her husband. They have shown me what it is to be true trusters of Christ. And not once have I seen either of them complain. Sure, they are human- but I think they are super human. I love that couple extra special..

I would love to travel to another country one day. Africa or Australia. Just to explore and eat their food and see the animals. But, every time I drive through Wichita, it never seems to fail, that their is somebody standing on the side the road with a card board sign explaining that they have no job or money and they have a family to feed.

Sometimes I don't feel good. A headache. A bellyache. A backache that last for weeks. Then, there is a man named Kevin. He is my little brother's father-in-law. He was in an awful accident at his work last summer where he worked for the rail-road and got ran over. His legs totally taken off. He is around 40 years old, and he will sit in a wheel chair for the rest of his life here on earth.

Sometimes I feel nobody cares. Nobody understands where I'm coming from... I have sat and cried because of the pain in my heart.

Then, I think of a Man. He came and died an awful death so that I could live life more abundantly and I could feel freedom in my heart and soul.

This last Saturday, March 15th, I was saved for 8 years. I want to do something special for my 10 year. I seriously look forward to that day more than any birthday or anniversary I know of. It was the best day of my life.

I have learned some life long lessons in the past 8 years. Some were not easy to go through, but now that I look back, I see why God allowed me to go through what I did. A lesson I have recently learned, even though I have always heard it from my mom, is...

"Someone always has it worse."

Ya, it's usually not what you want to hear when your problem seems so huge... and yes, sometimes it is huge! But, it's just the truth.

Someone out there is dying of cancer and throwing up every few minutes in their last few weeks of life while you are feeling sorry for yourself about your neck being out.

Someone out there is praying and fasting with their spouse for the past several years for a child, while you complain about your toddler that won't stop throwing fits.

Someone is out there working as hard as they can to make ends meet while you complain that your WIC card hasn't come in the mail. (I'm guessing that is how is works..)

Someone out there is sitting at home alone while their fiancé is in war across seas while you're whining about your fiancé not helping you pick out cupcakes for the reception.

Someone out there goes home each day after school to a home where they are abused, physically and mentally, while you smart off to your parents because they won't buy you the new "cool" item everyone at school has.

Someone out there is thirsty. They haven't had pure drinking water their entire life. They battle with stomach infections constantly because of the bacteria growing in their water.

While you complain that the restaurants water is too nasty tasting or doesn't have enough ice in it.

Someone out there is burying their father today, while you hold a constant grudge over your father's head all because of something that happened years ago.

 Someone out there has no peace in their life while you bicker and fight with your "Christian" spouse 24/7. Wow, you are being such a great light to this world.

Someone out there would do anything for you to notice them, but you are too busy taking care of number 1 to even look their way.

Someone out there has it worse, very likely.

I'm not downplaying your pain. Trust me. I meant it when I said I feel so bad for someone who has a toothache.

What I am trying to express is that sometimes we, (myself very included) will act like our world is ending when we go through a tough time. Some tough times are tougher than others. My little brothers father-in-law, who lost his legs is a much bigger problem than you getting the flu. Not that the flu isn't awful and it can even be deadly... but we need to try to see how our problems could be so much worse, rather than being so mad at the hand we were dealt.

I honestly wrote this just for myself. I really don't care if anyone else even reads this.

It was a wonderful reminder to myself that someone out there has it worse than I do.

Pray for others and then pray for yourself.



Following the leader, the leader... the leader!

 

 

 

 

It's a game we all know how to play.

 

The leader walks to the left and everyone else follows him.

 

The leader walks in a circle, they follow.

 

I have a question for you.

 

Who are you following?

 

Often times, we follow the people we spend most time with. That is probably why when I first gave my heart to the Lord on March 15th, 2006, the woman who prayed the sinner's prayer with me, told me to tell my friends I got saved and to not spend anymore time with people who will bring me down.

 

That was the best counsel and advice I received. The group of people I spent my time with were not Christians. When I told them I got saved, they all looked at me like I was crazy.

 

Crazy, I am.

 

Crazy for Jesus!

 

Back to following the leader.

 

Who are you following?

 

And better yet, who are you leading? And where are you leading them?

 

As a parent, I know that how I talk, act, and react is likely how Raylea will talk, act, and react.

 

I want her to always be a godly girl. I want her to see Jesus in me.

 

That's my main goal in life, is to be a good example, to be Christ-like to not only strangers, but to those who live with me every day of my life.

 

I am following my husband.

 

I chose to follow him.

 

He leads me right.

 

He leads me in Truth, and he leads me to Christ.

 

I am so blessed to have a husband who leads me correctly.

 

I have some great friends. I know I am in a position, being much older than some of them, that I am able to lead them. Surprisingly though, some of those young friends of mine have lead me at times!

 

Then I have friends who are 45 years older than me, I lead them some days and some days they lead me. The idea is that we are helping each other in this life and leading each other towards Christ.

 

What I am trying to get at, is that you are leading someone and you are following someone.

 

Make sure that whoever you're following is in line with Christ, and make sure you are in line with Christ because many people are following you, whether you see it or not.

Make sure whoever you're following is following Christ.

And make sure you are following Christ, because whether you like it or not, someone out there is following you. Even if you don't see it.

 

So, check yourself.

 

Ask God for His help. I promise He will give it to you.