Burden

Psalm 41:3- "The LORD will sustain him on his sickbed and restore him from his bed of illness."



I have a heart for the sick; the sick in body, in mind, and in the heart. I have always felt this way, but over the past couple months my heart is so burdened.

When I was younger, my mom was asked to help a friend by taking care of their ill, elderly mother. I went with my mom to help take care of her. I grew so attached to her. Most kids would have run to the other room, afraid of a sick elderly person, but I cared so much about her the instant I saw her. One morning I was in the car, on my way to school, and my mom called me sounding upset. She told me that this elderly woman had passed. I remember that moment so clearly. I was so heartbroken. Later on, I was in 4th grade, and for one of the writing assignments, I wrote about her. The only thing I can remember from that paper was that I said something a long the lines of, when I look in my neighbors back yard and see their dog 'Angel,' I think of Norma (the elderly woman), because she was an angel.

I don't know why, but still to this day, I remember these things and think about her.
As I was thinking about all of this earlier, I felt God saying to me that, that moment in my life, taking care of an elderly woman, was a glimpse into my future.

This past summer, on my second mission trip to Jamaica, we did something different this year, and went to a hospital to minister. Once again, my heart was burdened. But this time for every single person in there, young and old alike. There was an old woman that we talked to and prayed for. I couldn't understand a thing she said. All I knew was that, that woman was lonely, and dying, and that my heart was broken for her.
Then we went into the children's section of the hospital. I didn't even walk all the way into the area and started bawling.
I remember at one point telling someone, these people have no idea (about Christ, and where they're spending eternity) and they're dying.

I believe God has placed this burden in my heart for a purpose. I'm excited and ready to see what he places before me, and what doors he opens in the future to act on this passion inside of me.
I know if I do nothing but what this verse says, it will be enough!
Psalm 15:30- "A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones."