Mercies in Disguise

Both Ash and I have faced some pretty significant health challenges throughout our lives. Our shared pain actually played a major role in the development of our friendship. Although both of us have made some significant progress, we still have some tough days. Even though today started off pretty good for me, my body had some sort of reaction to an unknown something (Food? Environmental allergen? Emotional stress of work? I really have no idea). Anyway, at some point today, my body flipped a switch from doing really well to struggling to finish out the day. It's been known to happen, so it wasn't too much of a surprise. I was a little frustrated because I had to change my plans tonight in response to the pain. Honestly, though, I couldn't be too upset because I've felt so amazing the rest of this week.

Anyhow, so I ended up just coming home after work, and all I could think of was how much it would help if I had someone to rub my neck and shoulders. Thankfully, I have a great friend who is always willing to help me out in that department, but I was pretty sure he would be busy tonight. I decided to text him anyway, and surprisingly, he was able to stop by almost immediately.

My friend didn't stay for terribly long...maybe 20 minutes. He rubbed my neck and shoulders and talked with me about my day, and then he had to take off (because, as I had assumed, he did have some things going on tonight but still took time out of his day to help me). I gave him a hug, expressed my appreciation to him, and then he was on his way.

Then, I was left with my thoughts of how grateful I was for a small, but oh-so-meaningful act of service...especially as this wasn't nearly the first time he's gone out of his way to help me out. And like the hymn More Holiness Give Me states, I found "more patience in suff'ring" tonight because I found purpose in it. I thought about how much more deep and meaningful my relationship is with this particular friend and with Ashley and with a handful of others in my life because they have shared with me in my pain. They've been provided with opportunities to serve, and I've been provided several doses of humility as I often have to rely on others. Simply put, as the video I posted at the beginning of this post states, tonight I was reminded that sometimes the trials of this life are my mercies in disguise.