It's recently occured to me that most of my life I've had a small circle of loved ones; two sisters, my parents, my husband and kids and a few extended relatives and a few other select people that were really close to my heart. As I get older and have settled in a community 20 years now, I find that my circle of loved ones continues to grow. My family has grown by births, marriages, and friends and relationships with those that I consider family even though we have no relation. I have relatives that I've always loved who now live closer and are part of my life more often now. I have a big church family and serve along side some amazing people who I love dearly.I recently had a conversation with my Mom about the pain we were feeling for the loved ones we've lost to death and the pain that we feel for some of the people we love who are sick or emotionally distressed.
We determined that the more people you love the more pain you'll feel. Don't get me wrong; I would never trade these relationships for an easier life. I'm happier than ever with a life full of great people who I love. These people also share in comforting me and praying for me when I am in pain. Sharing the life of my first grandchild was the greatest thing I could've ever imagined and has brought a tremendous amount of happiness along with the common fears and concerns, but life without him in retrospect was quite boring.
Given the choice, I would choose the a life full of lots of people to love and who love me; choosing to share thier pain and to be there to comfort them. That love has got the be the purpose of life.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. 2 Corinthians 1:3-7
