When You See Someone’s Reality and It Jolts You

That moment when you offer a picture of your life so that others on social media might be able to grasp your reality? I know there are those who do that because they need prayer support, encouragement, and some motivation to keep on carrying on. No question, we all need encouragers. Oftentimes, when we think no one else has an idea what we’re going through, God shows us someone else’s reality that is painstakingly worse than ours. It gives us pause and a reality check that others might also need our encouragement and support.

I saw a post by a precious mom, who really has had her hands and heart full for a very long time in the care of her 10-year old, very sick child who is still in diapers. Her post included an image of a huge stack of diapers. The post read: “Dear Jesus, I’m really tired of changing diapers. Love a very tired Momma.”

Then, I saw comments: “I have 5 kiddos and “J” is still in them too. We should be diaper ambassadors.” Another mom said: “I honestly can’t imagine how many I have changed. Andrew is 15 and 2 other boys and now Kinsley, the past 2 years along, with Andrew still.” Then, another mom said: “I feel ya’, momma. When I hear someone complain about diapers, I laugh at them and tell them my oldest is 21 so I have been changing diapers for 21 straight years now. I haven’t done the math though. LOL!” Yet, another mom said: “Well – I’ve been changing diapers since 1977. When my children were out of diapers, I was doing day care in my home. I figure there are worse things in the world than diapers. We’ve got this, my friends!”

That last gal showed up with beautiful sentiments — not to mention such a positive, grateful outlook. The first mom replied to her “You take the award. I haven’t even been alive that long. No words, but I hope I get your positive outlook with time!“
While that post both touched me with empathy for those precious moms, it rang a bell that I hope we can all hear ringing! No matter how tough life is for us right now – there’s reason for gratitude, because, no doubt, there is always someone who is going through even tougher times. Really, in all times and situations, regardless how tough they are, there is Someone Who gets us and knows what we’re going through – whether it’s a hang-nail or loss of a job or a broken heart or caring for a bedridden loved one.

God’s premier self-description is “the compassionate and gracious God”. (Exodus 34:6) That means that both our pain and our prayers affect him, and He has us on his heart. He takes our burden on Himself and remembers us. As we imitate our Father, we should want to feel the burdens of others, too.
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)

So, we call, e-mail, post, track down the suffering at their home or church. We have them on our heart, and we want them to know it. So, for all of us on the outside looking in at hurting people, it’s up to us to say something. Do something and remember them. That is the basic idea. In the case of those precious women who were encouraging the first woman with their words at the first of this blog, I encourage you to carry on. You are valiant, loving and non-quitting – YOU ARE OUR HEROES.