Overwhelmed!

As I was drafting my last post, I discovered that a sweet family at church is dealing with health and wellness crisis to the point of their 12 mth old being admitted to the hospital. My heart was filled with compassion for them - how little are my issues when they are dealing with the physical health of one so little, so helpless. I thought "Surely I can run some soup by their house, drop off some puzzle book or gum or something to the hospital for the mom." Just a little way of letting this sweet young family know they were not in this alone. No long term, drawn out affair - just a sign to let them know that others were there. My life is not so busy that I could not spare a few minutes for compassion to others.

As it turned out, that was not to take place. As I was putting on some ingredients to start some soup, I realized I had missed a call on my cell. A call from another young mother asking that I not do these things. The family was being taken care of - to "just pray, pray, pray". My first reaction was purely selfish - "but I want to help, only for a moment, just to step outside of my world, my own selfishness, even for a moment."

So often over the last several years, I have felt completely consumed by all the drama that seems to take place in my life. I find it difficult to even explain the fullness of the upheaval. I have felt isolated by my world of chaos, so consumed by these problems that I have managed to disconnect my emotions from the other hurt that goes on in this world. Then this prick of compassion for the hurt of this young mother and all the drama taking place in her world - I understood this. I understood the overwhelming emotions such chaos could bring. I also understood the helplessness that can evolve. For once, after such a long time, I looked outwardly, to another's pain and had the desire to reach out.

Now, almost 24 hrs later, I am still wanting to reach out, but I will abide by what I have been asked to do. I will continue to pray for healing of this precious little one, as I have done since I found out. There is a part of me that yearns to reach out, but I will respect the request that was made of me. I feel so overwhelmed and helpless, in my own world, and now in this outwardly moment.

Please pray for this young family and the strength of those that are tending to them.