Offer It Up

I feel like such a wuss and a weenie and a whiney baby!  I’ve had a cold for a few days now and it makes me irritable and unpleasant to be around and tired and cranky.  And it’s just a cold.  In the midst of my complaining to whoever might be in earshot, I’ve thought about all the people I know who deal with far worse than a minor cold on a regular basis.   I marvel at their ability to deal with discomfort, pain, and actual suffering.  I hope that when I am on the other side of this silly cold I will find myself more sympathetic and understanding to those who struggle with difficult physical, mental, and spiritual challenges every day.

When I was a child and found reason to complain about something, my mother would often respond:  “Offer it up!”  Her three words were meant to encourage me to find some spiritual meaning in my little bit of suffering, and to “give up” my woes to God as a kind of offering of sorts.  I didn’t usually appreciate this invitation and preferred instead to sulk a bit longer and wallow in self-pity.  But eventually even I tired of my own self-preoccupation and would eventually get over myself and move on as I certainly hope to do so with this inconvenient respiratory issue.

What I have learned in times of minor illness, is that I can take my own experience and reflect a bit on how others might be feeling as they face their own infirmities and limitations.  This spring break I will be travelling to Wyoming to spend the week with my parents who are both in their eighties, each with diminished health and quality of life.  I can’t begin to truly understand how they feel during this difficult season in their lives.  However, I hope I will be able to exercise a bit more patience and compassion,  tolerance and kindness as a result of being a little under the weather myself.  To be sure, my own woes pale in comparison to all that my parents are going through.  However, I can apply the golden rule and treat others who are hurting as I want to be treated when I am feeling poorly myself.

As we approach the coming spring break, may there be time for rest and healing of body, mind, and spirit – not only for ourselves but for those with whom we interact.  Practice the golden rule, offer it up, and please pass the Kleenex!

Peace,

Anne