Growing pains

I can't help but believe that God knows all of His children. He knows our flaws, our strengths, our desires, the buttons we hate to get pushed, our guilty pleasures, our hopes, our dreams, our fears, everything. God knows us better then anyone else on this planet (I bet He didn't even need to have my mom tell him about my tendencies to stuff trash in the pockets of the car.)

I have to believe that God knows me. I know He knows me because of what I've been given. We are only given that which we can handle, which, most of the time seems too much to bear. God knows that we can bear it, and gives us our trials as a growing experience.

Sometimes, we do not know why we must go through the pains of life, but think of it as "growing pains"--like when you're a teenager. You must reach your body's physical stopping point, and sometimes that means one must experience physical pain in the growing process. Trials are just the growing pains of our spirituality.

God knows me. He knows that I couldn't handle having long term illnesses, such as cancer or eosinophilic gastroenteritis. He knows that my bad vision, arthritis and bad ankles are probably the only physical ailments I could handle right now in life.

He knows that my low pain tolerance would lead me to complain, leading my family and friends to probably go insane from hearing me saying "it hurts." Once again, God, our father, knows what we are able to handle.

I just wanted to say how grateful I am for those in my life who have manned up during their times of trials, keeping their faith in God in their hearts and head held high.

I know that without their great examples, I would not be appreciating what problems I have. I'd be saying "Hey, God, I kind of would like to not have joint pain every day. I kind of would like to be able to wear whatever shoes I'd like. I kind of would like to be able to see without contacts." Instead, I am saying "Hey, thank you for what I have been given."

Never forget our Father in Heaven. He knows you, and He will always bring you aid during your trials. Never, ever forget this.

Two Bucket Lists

Last night, I had the opportunity to attend my best friend's cancer support group, or as we lovingly call it: "cancer class." Cancer class is held the first Tuesday of the month at the hospital. People who have had cancer, have cancer, or those folks who just tag along go to this gathering to talk about their experiences with cancer and how it impacts them daily. I don't have cancer, or have ever had cancer, but I do enjoy going to listen to the strong willed people tell their story.

One of the cancer ladies there, Marilyn, was talking about her bucket lists. "I have two bucket lists. One of things I want to do, and one that God wants me to do before I pass on" was essentially what she said. She said that God's list pops up whenever He wants her to do something, even if it means putting off her list for a little while.

This message touched me. I never thought of that. There are our wills, and God's will, too. Sometimes things go how we planned, sometimes they don't. Sometimes, they just don't make any sense at all. God knows what is going on, and that's what matters most.

There are things I'd like to do in my life, and I know that God has his ideas as to what He wants me to do. The same goes for you, too. :)