Somebody Somewhere

While I complain about having to get up and face another day, somebody somewhere is slipping into a gruesome depression, confident they can’t face even one more day.

While I complain about the traffic on the way to work, somebody somewhere is in the back of an ambulance, racing to the hospital and an unexpected end.

While I complain about my head cold, somebody somewhere just found out they have an inoperable brain tumor.

While I sit at my desk and complain that I’m bored or frustrated with certain parts of my job, somebody somewhere is praying they find work so they can feed their family.

While I e-mail my wife from my work computer, somebody somewhere is trying to decide which Bible verse to have engraved on their spouse’s headstone.

While I try and decide what I want for lunch, somebody somewhere is dying of starvation.

While I dip into my “2:00 slump,” somebody somewhere is hearing the abrupt words, “Time of death: 14-hundred.”

While I limp toward the finish line of yet another workday, somebody somewhere is limping away from the scene of an accident where they lost a loved one.

While I hang out with my children and grandchildren after work, somebody somewhere is burying their son or daughter, their niece or grandson.

While I lie in bed at night, trying to shut my brain off and go to sleep, somebody somewhere is trying to resuscitate someone’s dad, and failing.

While I let the cares of the day weigh too heavy on my mind, somebody somewhere is gradually slipping into dementia.

While I take today for granted, somebody somewhere does NOT.

Lord, my prayer today is that You help me to live every day as if it were my last. Help me to live vigorously, laugh hysterically and love unconditionally. Let Your light shine through me, even when darkness tries to engulf my spirit.

ESPECIALLY on those days, God.

Help me to embrace life, love Jesus and be the best I can be today.

Amen.