Close to home....

I have a hard time listening to bad news. My stomach drops before I even hear the details. I can just hear it in the tone of voice. I got a call from a good friend last week. Her son's best friend had hit a deer with his motorcycle and crushed his brain stem. He was wearing a helmet and because of that, his family was given time to say good-bye. He was a good kid. I didn't know him too well, but he was the best friend of someone who is like family to me.

I sat in church last Sunday and couldn't help but feel so broken for the family who sat two rows in front of me. I had just found out their mom (who was once my choir director) was battling cancer and had to be hospitalized for a month to receive large, intense doses of chemotherapy. She is in a room where everything going in must be sterilized. She had to miss her daughter's college graduation and her son's high school graduation.

I admit, I will often avoid reading the "medical blogs". I am more than willing to pray, but sometimes I get so caught up in them and have a very difficult time emotionally when following their journeys. Information like that overtakes me and I can't function. It often paralyzes me.

The two situations I mentioned above have hit close to home. They have given me perspective and allowed me to see and understand just a little bit more of what some people have to go through.

I believe the Lord has given me a heart for those who are hurting. To come alongside them and mourn with them. I think, in part, that is why I decided to be a Human Service major.

But....most of the time, I think the pain is just too much.

But then I have to remind myself that I don't have to carry the pain. I just have to take it to the cross and lay it at His feet.