When somebody else is more "broken" than we are

[LovebirdsFlying]

I grew up sometimes hearing the proverb, "I cried because I had no shoes. Then I met a man who had no feet." And this is true. We *should* spend less time moaning about what we don't have, and more time being grateful for what we do have.

But....

Does this mean we should neglect our own needs because someone else's needs are greater?

A few weeks ago, I dropped a 35-pound bucket of kitty litter on my foot, and broke my big toe. Since I'm diabetic, it's healing slowly. It was an ugly open fracture, and I had to have antibiotics when it showed signs of getting infected. Now the broken skin is healed, but the broken bone isn't quite. It's still giving me some problems.

Shortly after this happened, a good friend of mine was in a serious motorcycle accident. He has breaks in all four limbs, along with some ribs. One of those breaks is a femur. Another is a humerus. He was hospitalized, but now he's recovering at home. We thank God he's on the mend.

I told him I felt silly talking about my toe, when he had a lot more broken than just a toe. He himself counseled me that just because his injuries are more serious, that doesn't mean I should ignore mine. I need healing too, and I should be taking care of myself.

How often do we take this attitude? "Never mind me, Lord. Take care of him." Guess what? He's big enough to take care of both.

Yes, the man with no shoes should feel grateful he has feet. But it doesn't follow from there that he should be unconcerned about having no shoes. If he doesn't take care of those feet, he could lose them. And then he too would be a man without feet. Would he have a right to feel bad then? Or should he shut up because the next person in line has no hands either?

There is always going to be somebody worse off than we are. We still need to pay attention to our own needs.

 

[Dave-W]

Good reminder. I grew up with the proverb: "The key to joy is Jesus, Others and then You. "

The problem was the implication was "others" meant everyone else. I am still struggling sometimes with fitting myself and my needs in there somewhere.

 

[Dave L]

I always rejoice in anything less than the worst. Thinking I deserve the worst and only by God's mercy I do not experience it. I assume all are in the same position.

 

[joinfree]

I grew up sometimes hearing the proverb, "I cried because I had no shoes. Then I met a man who had no feet." And this is true. We *should* spend less time moaning about what we don't have, and more time being grateful for what we do have.

But....

Does this mean we should neglect our own needs because someone else's needs are greater?

A few weeks ago, I dropped a 35-pound bucket of kitty litter on my foot, and broke my big toe. Since I'm diabetic, it's healing slowly. It was an ugly open fracture, and I had to have antibiotics when it showed signs of getting infected. Now the broken skin is healed, but the broken bone isn't quite. It's still giving me some problems.

Shortly after this happened, a good friend of mine was in a serious motorcycle accident. He has breaks in all four limbs, along with some ribs. One of those breaks is a femur. Another is a humerus. He was hospitalized, but now he's recovering at home. We thank God he's on the mend.

I told him I felt silly talking about my toe, when he had a lot more broken than just a toe. He himself counseled me that just because his injuries are more serious, that doesn't mean I should ignore mine. I need healing too, and I should be taking care of myself.

How often do we take this attitude? Never mind me, Lord. Take care of him. Guess what? He's big enough to take care of both.

Yes, the man with no shoes should feel grateful he has feet. But it doesn't follow from there that he should be unconcerned about having no shoes. If he doesn't take care of those feet, he could lose them. And then he too would be a man without feet. Would he have a right to feel bad then? Or should he shut up because the next person in line has no hands either?

There is always going to be somebody worse off than we are. We still need to pay attention to our own needs.

I am sorry, please get well soon.