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Why Not Me?
Here’s the short version of my history. I started having seizures and got epilepsy at the age of 9 and was constantly teased. My music and playing the piano was my comfort. In my teenage years I went through statutory rape from my friend’s father. Later I went through an abusive marriage, got fibromyalgia, died from a seizure resulting in PTSD, got carpal tunnel and had the surgery. I ended up with complications from the surgery and arthritis in my hands, can no longer play the piano and even writing increases the pain in my hands. Wow ~ a lot for one person? Maybe. Sometimes I wish it were different and I didn’t have all of this happen to me but – why not me?
When my son went to war someone once asked me if I was scared – DUH!!! I did tell them I was concerned but did view it as why not my son? Why did it have to be someone else’s? If I did lose him in war it would be honorable. I don’t know, maybe I’ve watched too much Star Trek and got the Klingon view. 🙂
Why am I sharing all of what others see as tragedies in my life? Too many people sit around with the “Why me?” attitude and not enjoy life. They feel sorry for themselves and get to a point where they just don’t care anymore. This is sad. You have to realize that we are here for God’s purpose and it’s not all about us. Also, if you go back and read Job you will realize that you don’t have it so bad. Read a little more into the chapter where Job starts questioning God and you’ll find that God asks him a few questions! I love that part! I am going to do some serious paraphrasing here but it all boils down to who are we to question why? It’s not like we created the universe and are all that and then some; yet, we question God. Did that one hit home?
You see, if God is going to use you the enemy will attack you because you are a threat to him. YES ~ you can become a threat to Satan!! You just have to realize it for what it is. When I went through everything when I was young all I said was I wouldn’t wish epilepsy on anyone, not even my worst enemies. And the statutory rape, well as long as he bothered me he was leaving someone else alone! Yes, my life has been a constant mess. But without a mess you can’t have a message!!! I was able to later counsel many people who went through similar things. I can take something good and ruin it but God ~ it’s so awesome how He takes something horrible and works it all for good. (Romans 8:28)
In conclusion, instead of seeing your life as “Why me?” try saying “Why not me?” God doesn’t call the qualified – he qualifies the called. Remember, because you aren’t sometimes seeing how what you have gone through has somehow helped someone else doesn’t mean that it hasn’t. It’s wonderful to be used by God and remember the ones who make the biggest difference in others’ lives are the ones who have gone through something. Change your view to ‘why not me’, give it to God and start watching what happens.
This is DeVaughn ~ bringing it home.
It IS Your Job
Many times today everyone is always saying “It’s not my job” to get out of doing work. Our society has become so lazy as each generation passes by. Back in the old days no one ever said something wasn’t their job! They were told to do something and did it, end of story. The truth always lies in the Word of what our jobs are. Whether we choose to do it or not is what it boils down to. Let’s look at just a few things we are told to do.
One of the hardest things is to love your enemy. It is so hard for us to come close to this feeling to those who have done us wrong. Nevertheless, that’s what we are told to do. In fact it goes a little deeper when we’re told to feed and help our enemies. Just how much can be expected of us, right? Wrong. Jesus didn’t tell us to do anything He didn’t do himself, remember that. Forgiveness lies in close proximity of loving one’s enemy. We find it easier to forgive the ‘small’ things but what about when it’s something big, what then?! When someone hurts your spouse or child you’re supposed to forgive them? YES! According to the Word that’s exactly what we’re supposed to do. Again, remember the purest of examples when Jesus hung on the cross and said “Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do.” And he was speaking of the ones who nailed him there, who were mocking him and those who betrayed him!
A different category of a job but something we’re supposed to do is care for our parents. Sounds easy enough, but look at how many have turned away from this responsibility! I can speak of this because as I write this I am staying with my mother and taking care of her and visit my husband once every 3 months for a week, two if I’m lucky. In January it will be two years that I have been doing this. When the time came that she could no longer live alone neither one of us questioned what to do. I packed my bag and put my life on hold. Not once did I say it is the easiest thing in the world to do, especially as we watch our parents slowly drifting away. I believe Nancy Reagan worded it perfectly ~ “The long good-bye.” All I did know is that not only because God told us to take care of our parents, but my heart also told me it was my job whether it is ‘convenient’ or not. I can say it’s hard but I will always say it is worth it to be able to spend the time with her while she’s still here.
The main point I am trying to make is that in the Word we are given jobs to do while we’re here. We forgive if we ‘feel’ like it – but, that’s not what we’re told. We’re told to do it, no questions asked. In the end we will be accountable for everything we do, and for those we don’t do. The next time you are finding it hard to forgive, love your enemies, or feel like taking care of someone in need (especially your parents) is an inconvenience ~ ask yourself if you really want to look at Jesus in the end and tell Him it wasn’t your job.
This is DeVaughn ~ bringing it home.
DeVaughn Rosendahl 