Share our Burdens...

I've read the following quote somewhere... I don't EVEN remember where, so I'm unable to give credit to it's author... but it goes like this:

IF WE COULD ALL HEAR ONE ANOTHER'S PRAYERS, GOD MIGHT BE RELIEVED OF SOME OF HIS BURDENS

I am blessed to have an understanding and praying family, both biological and church. It's probably a good thing for me that I'm the type of person that opens up to just about anyone. I've always felt that getting something off my chest is a benefit and if someone can share the burden, it makes my portion that much lighter. I have always known this, but have not always followed through. I went through a stage in my life where I bottled things up and tried to handle them on my own. I destroyed a valuable relationship and nearly destroyed my life in the process. I thought I was strong enough... or maybe that the people around me had enough of their own struggles to deal with... or maybe that no one would understand... or one of many other possible reasons. Thank God I've learned that I can lighten my burdens by sharing them with people who care.

I know that some of my sisters will read this and I just want to tell each and every one of you, 'Thank You!'. From the bottom of my heart... 'THANK YOU!!!'... for your prayers, for your ears, for your strength, for your understanding, for your support, for your comfort, for your arms, for your tissues. But more than all that... for walking with me... for listening to me... for not passing judgment... for asking me if there's anything you can do... for doing things without being asked... for making me laugh when I felt like crying... for letting me cry when I'd rather be laughing.

God says in Matthew 18:20, "For where two or three are gathered together in MY name, there am I in the midst of them." How simple does that scripture state that we are not to stand alone? Pastor King preached the other night that we are all a part of The Body and when one of us is hurting, The Body feels it. We are to bind together and help each other heal. If you cut your finger and the rest of your body did nothing to heal it, it would eventually die and fall off. As a result, the 'infection' may spread throughout the whole body.

I was talking to one of our sisters the other night and she is struggling. Emotionally, physically, financially... but spiritually, she's fighting! She just kept telling me that she was giving everything to God and let Him deal with it! I promised I would not repeat any of our conversation but I'm asking that we hold her up in prayer. God knows who she is and He knows her needs. If we all bind together, I know that He is faithful to heal this wounded saint.

Oh! I thank God that He is there to pick us up when we are down, brush the dust off and set us back on the path. I am 100% sure that I would not be where I am today without God. Without his infinite Grace and Mercy... I would be nothing! Even when I was back-slidden and living in the world... He never forgot me. I walked the floor many, many nights and I prayed. I cried, and I prayed... I prayed hard and He heard me EVERY TIME! I'll never forget one night in particular... I was sitting on the floor in the hallway of my apartment. I was all alone and I felt every bit of it! I was pacing up and down my hallway and I finally got to the point where I couldn't walk any more. I crumbled to the floor and I called on Jesus! He didn't make me beg... He didn't make me promise a whole bunch of things I couldn't possibly live up to at the time... He didn't make me feel guilty... He just surrounded me with His loving arms and held me. I literally felt the peace flow over me from head to toe.

So... along with all of the other things I've said tonight... have faith for your children that may have strayed from Shepherd... He hasn't strayed from them. They are still within reach of his arms and He's just waiting for them to call on Him. I did... and He answered. No questions, no hesitation.

Thank You Jesus! For Your Mercy... and Grace... and an awesome praying family!

I LOVE YOU ALL!!!