my sister's keeper.

I recently watched the movie "My Sister's Keeper," or "sobfest, 2010" as my husband refers to it. For those of you lucky ducks who have not witnessed this film, it is based on a book by Jodi Picoult that follows a young girl (Anna) who enlists the help of an attorney to gain medical emancipation from her parents. Anna's older sister (Kate) is battling leukemia and Anna has underwent numerous surgery's and procedures to help her sister live. Throughout the course of the film, there is a rapid decline in Kate's condition. As I watched this movie, I noticed that every character was hurting; some in response to Kate's illness, but many because of other reasons. People felt forgotten, afraid, unloved. Even the judge overruling Anna's case was grieving the loss of her daughter in a car accident.

Take away the dramatic music, computer generated scenes, and Cameron Diaz, and this film is so representative of real life. I don't mean that in a depressing way, I mean it in a redemptive way. Everyone is carrying around their own pocket (suitcase, storage bin, you can decide the size here) of hurt. It's easy to compare "pockets" with those around you, but the truth is, we are ALL hurting. And many hide their pockets well.

At one point in my life I thought that most babies were born "healthy". However, the more I've opened my eyes to life around me, the more I have realized that many babies are born with complications, some life long, some less permanent. My dad and I were recently discussing this realization of mine. His response (in a very dad way) was, "well, if you buy a blue car, you start to notice all the blue cars on the road", meaning that since my own child has had struggles, I start to notice those around me with struggles. True. However, it's been helpful for me to drag myself out of my pity parties by remembering that I am not in this alone. There are many other people hurting out there and we can learn from one another and encourage each other through this walk.

So whether you have a child with a genetic syndrome, a sick parent, martial problems, insecurities, financial hardship, failing health, or any other possible difficulties in life -- I challenge you to stop comparing your pocket with others, stop wishing your life away, and start choosing hope and encouragement today.


Matthew 11:28-30
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”