As I sit here pondering over the course of my life, the struggles, addictions, abuse, neglect, storms of life, loss, etc, that I have endured compared to where God has brought guided me to presently. I am so thankful for deliverance from the painful past, and yet also thankful for those painful memories. They have given me a compassion, understanding, and drive to help others currently experiencing that pain I once endured. Would I change the past given the chance, probably not, I am who I am today because of the sorrow. But at the same time given the chance would I relive the past, most definitely not. Through it all, I gained boldness, strength, compassion, understanding, and sense of purpose for my life. I have learned who my true friends are, that God is with me, and that His heart breaks to see His children mistreated. I have also learned that even though His heart breaks to see His children mistreated, He respects and honors the free will that was given to us and that he expects you and I to treat others with love and compassion. We need to be His arms, His feet, His hands, Show His love, His heart, His mercy, His compassion. How else are they going to know and experience His love, grace, compassion, mercy, and peace that we proclaim He is? If we choose to stay in our little circles, avoid the ugliness, not get involved than how can we say that we are following in His steps? If we choose to not get dirty and lend a helping hand than how can we expect anything to change? How can we say that they have a Friend that will never leave them, if we aren’t willing to be a Friend ourselves? Give up some of your desires, and lend a helping hand, you just may find that joy, peace, and sense of purpose you so desperately seek. If all of us that proclaim to know Jesus would truly be Jesus to the world, would the world look as it does today? I know that there are many struggles that each of us face, in these uncertain times, but yet shouldn’t we look at the blessings we have around us, and share the blessings we have with others around that we have the ability to share with? Shouldn’t we still give what we can, (time, money, a listening ear, a helping hand, etc) when we can? We all have the ability to influence others for the good around us. In these uncertain times, isn’t it needed all the more? By helping others around you, you just may find that your troubles aren’t too heavy to bear, and that there is One that will bear the burden for you? Will you lend a helping hand and be part of the solution to someone else’s problem or ignore the situations you have the ability to change and be part of reason the world is what it is today? If we all would help where needed one person at a time, one life at a time, and than those in return passing it forward to another, change would occur.