I have a million yellow post-it notes stuck to my desk, various folders, my monitor, on my bulletin board and my phone. I even have post-it notes stuck inside folders. Today, when I opened a folder to look for something, I came across a note I wrote last week. It had a kid's name on it with "mom was killed" written underneath. Oh, yeah. I heard about this poor child and thought that I would try to help her. I had completely forgotten.
This sort of shook me to the core. How did I get so busy that abuse reports and working with children of murdered parents seems normal? I can't help everyone. Even though I try, I know this. Is it possible to fix all the wrong in this world? How are these kids going to make it? I have built the necessary professional walls that allow me to do my job without taking in too much of other people's stuff but at what cost?
Sometimes, life is completely intense and it is really difficult to accept all of the bad in the world. We have to, though. This is life and we'll go crazy if we don't. It's just hard. I thought of a verse that helps me keep things in perspective. This verse reminds me that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Indeed, we felt we had
received the sentence of death.
But this happened that we might not rely
on ourselves but on God, whom raises the dead.
He has delivered us from
such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again.
2 Corinthians 1: 9-10
2 Corinthians 1: 9-10
When I taught I was like that. Notes everywhere and my focus so divided that I didn't know who to try to help first. Granted my helping was along the lines of reading and writing rather than more serious things that you are dealing with. I can't imagine how hard and heartbreaking it must be. All I can say is keep breathing and take one thing at a time. Not sure if advice here would be worth anything, but instead of post-its, maybe write everything down in one single notebook. At least that way all your notes would be in one place.
ReplyDeleteThis is great advice - we must be reading each other's minds because I actually did this very thing this morning. Now, instead of a clump of post-its on my desk, I have a nice, neat list on a legal pad. It's a long list. But, at least it is organized:) Thanks.
DeleteThe verse is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteDo what you can to help, but remember not to stress yourself out and put more on your plate than you can handle. I am sure you would be making a greater difference by saving up your energy for doing less 'projects' of help in a perfect way rather than taking on more 'projects' with less energy.
This makes a lot of sense, Ghadeer. Thank you.
DeleteI get bogged down in the harsh realities of life too. This was good to read today. I'm weary of heart at the moment, helping my elderly parents. We all age and decline and become disabled, and it's all very sobering. It's hard to remember that God is still with us.
ReplyDeleteI think we all get deflated at times. It's just a part of life. I can only imagine how mentally and emotionally exhausted you mustt be. I can empathize by remembering how I felt when my dad was dying. It is difficult to see the good in the world during harsh times. God is with us, though. He's with you and your parents. I'll say a prayer that He brings you some comfort this weekend and wrap His arms around you.
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