Why am I doing this? Why is this happening to me? What is the lesson here? What is the purpose?
These are common questions we often ask as we weave through the ups and downs of daily life. These days, most of my questions are focused on my mother. She lives in a nursing home as Alzheimer's Disease steals her life little by little. The sadness of the whole situation weighed heavy on me yesterday as I left her. The visit was all of eight minutes but it was all she - or I - could handle. For all she knew, I was there an hour. For what I knew, it felt like an hour.
I don't know why or what. All I know is that her days are numbered just like mine. And my task is to carry on with patience until her days are done. And whenever I can, I am to encourage others who are sliding on that slippery slope.
Right before Peter's denial in that long ago courtyard, Jesus said to him:
Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." (Luke 22:31-32)
All I know is that our journeys in this life are to be shared. Our job is to keep reaching back and lifting up our sisters and brothers. If we don't, then our journey has been wasted.
