I have no idea what I did to cause the pain in my neck. I thought I’d take a walk around the neighborhood to see if it would loosen up, but it did the opposite. The intensity of pain grew to the point it brought me to my knees in my neighbors yard. One minute I was fine, and the next minute my body betrayed me.
Maybe you too are familiar with pain and the feelings associated with it. The humility of surrendering to your circumstance, the fear of the unknown, and the helplessness of realizing you are no longer in control.
In this physical and emotional state, my family met me. They held my hand, fed me soup, brushed my hair, prayed for me, and stayed by my side. It’s moments like these that reassure me of their love. When I couldn’t give anything to them in return. When I was at my worst. When they were tired from their days and had needs of their own. They chose to show me their love.
Sometimes we want romantic or grandiose displays of love, but I think the consistent ordinary displays are just as meaningful, if not more. These everyday gestures of love that often go unnoticed are the ones I want to be more intentional to notice. I don’t want to take them for granted.
I was hesitant to post about this experience because it really isn’t about wanting sympathy for my pain or wanting to brag on my family. Because heaven knows we aren’t perfect. There has been and will continue to be lots of grace along the way. But today my painful circumstance was the conduit to reveal their care and concern. And that is the main message I hope to relay. A reminder of what it means to truly love another.
Thankfully, I am already feeling much better. No one likes to experience pain, but in the strangest way I’m grateful because God gave me a picture of His love through my family I don’t want to forget. Whose pain needs your care and concern today? I pray we would consider how we too can be a picture of love worth capturing.
Recent Comments