COMPARING MOUNTAINS

  A very important lesson that I have learned this week is not to compare mountains. Something all mothers have been through is child birth. Some were laying on the bed and had a major contraction to hit, pause, laugh a little nervously and say,"Oop. There's another one." then continued on talking. Others have a contraction hit and start ripping sheets, throwing stuff, grabbing nurses and screaming at them to give them more drugs and using choice language. We have all been through some of the same things but we each have different ways we handle those things. You cannot measure the strength of one mother to-be against the other one. There is no winner and loser comparing the two. Did they have a successful child birth? Did everyone around them recover mentally? (haha) There ya go.
  Some of us can turn down a piece of chocolate or an extra piece of pizza and not think anything about it. Some, turn it down and then spend the day with their mouth watering and eating as much as you want that night in your dreams. When you turn down dessert or don't literally lick your plate clean, you feel like you deserve a trophy, sticker, something. Some people get commended for not ever eating chocolate and secretly it gives them diarrhea. It is no victory but they act like they are supreme. It makes you envision holding them down and making them eat a King size Hershey bar.
  I made a remark the other day that I felt like I was tougher than I thought I was and maybe, just maybe I have a purpose I didn't realize. Maybe God isn't done with me yet. Then, the more I thought about it the dumber I felt. I could have been diagnosed with cancer, paralyzed, had a total knee replacement and the list goes on. Instead, the doctors cannot explain my injuries and are amazed at how my knee is still intact. Did it minimize the amount of pain I experienced and the severity of the situation? No. The situation wasn't as severe as it could have been but the pain was real. Did I die from it...obviously not. If I compare my mountains or valleys to someone else's I may always come out second best or not even in the running. I didn't have hundreds of people raising money for my recovery or rallying to my aid. What I did have was some people that gave a little to help me get in to see the doctor. I had family members that came to check on me. I had an amazing gesture made by my mom's husband by ordering me supper to be sent to the house and volunteering to take a sick day to come help me. I had a friend that lives in a few states away trying to work it out where she could come up and help me as well. The amazing people I work with calling me and volunteering to bring me stuff. That's what I had. My knee was crushed but I will recover without surgery. Some people may not rally until someone dies. I think I would rather not go that far just to have them come.
  My problem was, I compared what I went through to someone else. I started feeling loved and victorious and strong. Then, I felt silly because what I went through wasn't as severe as someone else. God gives us all circumstances to go through. He gives us opportunities to depend on Him more. Choices to make. Hard times to triumph over. In my case, I am a people person, a servant. Being alone is something I hate. I mean, I despise it. God allowed me to go through this, somewhat alone, meaning I have no spouse or significant other to help me on a daily basis. I hate not being able to do for myself. I am supremely independent. Sometimes to a fault. Someone else may prefer to be alone and them being in my situation wouldn't have brought them out of their comfort zone at all. I have had the opportunity to see who my friends are, to see the heart of my church, and to see the attitude of my kids. Some things I have seen, I didn't like. Some things, I will never forget.
  Comparing what I have gone through does nothing but take away the triumph I have. It takes away what God has brought me through. Comparing anything usually gets is into trouble. This situation made me remember to not compare my mountains or victories and valleys or hard times with someone else's. To not discredit what I have been through for any reason. God brought me to and He will bring me through. How I handle each thing will show what I am made of. It doesn't have to be a big deal to you but it is a victory or defeat to someone. Don't discredit someone or even yourself. If someone gives you praise, be thankful for it. If someone is there to give you a hand up, reach out your hand freely. We are each fearfully and wonderfully made. To say anything contrary, no matter the situation, would be to discredit God.
   The only comparing you should do is compare how you handle your present situation to the past one.  Let's celebrate our victories, cry over the defeats but never, ever give up in them!!