Seriously, Who’s Got the Biggest Problem?

I was not able to write a post yesterday as usual (Tuesday) because I had two days of a migraine. Brutal! Here is my Tuesday post. 🙂

I have friend I will call Sandy. I met her about thirteen years ago when a little dog I was fostering snuck out of my yard. Sandy had recently moved in next door and offered to help me find the dog. We have both long since moved from that neighborhood, but we stay in touch. I consider Sandy a good friend.

Sandy feels bad about herself much too often, even more so when she is depressed. She has dealt with mean criticism and ugly labels throughout her life. She has been ridiculed and called names.

The thing is that because Sandy’s parents were heavy alcohol drinkers, Sandy suffers some of the symptoms of from Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS).

Pregnant mothers who drink alcohol put their innocent unborn child at high risk to suffer a lifetime of challenges and depression. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy causes different degrees of health, learning disabilities, and brain injury while the fetus is developing.

Sandy is funny, witty, and has a great sense of humor.  If you looked at Sandy’s wedding picture, you would see a very stunning woman. She looks like she could have been modeling the wedding dress she was wearing for a J.C. Penny’s or a Macy’s catalog.

Nevertheless, Sandy suffers from ADHD and some learning disabilities. Yet, she is very intelligent. She even has a college degree.

Sandy is a productive individual. She is married and has two young-adult children. She recognizes her disability and works hard to compensate for it. Sometimes, people take advantage of her desire to work hard.

At times, she can be a bit too trusting, silly or impulsive. She also struggles with inconsistency. Sometimes, when she has been deeply hurt, she has a very hard time controlling her emotions and temper, but don’t we all when we are deeply hurt?

Sandy has an immense heart and is one of those people who will give you her last dollar if she knows you are in need. It’s because of this giant heart that people have often hurt her and have taken advantage of her.

While Sandy thinks of herself in a negative way often and feels she does not have much to offer; I see a genuinely beautiful person.

These are the qualities I see in her when I think of her.

She is extremely friendly and social.

Everywhere she goes she makes a new friend. I get a little envious of that.

If help is needed anywhere, Sandy is the first to volunteer.

She takes a Pollyanna approach with life, always keeping a positive attitude.

Her concern for others is extremely deep and genuine.

She will wear herself out helping a friend.

She is the biggest animal lover I have ever known. Animals naturally flock to her.

She loves children and works wonders with the elderly.

She is not malicious, even when people treat her maliciously.

She is always looking for ways to serve or help someone.

She is a child of God and deeply loves Jesus.

She is an extremely loyal friend.

She loves to make jewelry, soap and hand lotion; and often shares with me bits of her creation.

She has been there for me through every tough time of my life since I met her.

She has been an immense encouragement to me at times when I have felt my lowest.

Sandy has given me some of the wisest advice I have ever had. One of her favorites is,

“Guard your heart, Elizabeth.” That is wisdom that comes out of the Bible. She would know as she has been hurt too often.

Proverbs 4:23  Keep your heart with all vigilance for from it flows the springs of life.

Philippians 4:6-7  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

If you ask me, I think it is pretty sad we do not have more people like Sandy in this world.

I wish I could be more like her!

I certainly do not advocate for pregnant mothers to drink alcohol by any means. The thing is that most of the people who have criticized Sandy are cynical and mean spirited. I personally think they are a bit jealous at her enthusiasm and love for life. These people are missing out and could really benefit themselves and the world by being more like Sandy.

Maybe it is a good thing no one has ever put her down in front of me. In my opinion, it is they who have the biggest problem.

God has given Sandy beauty for ashes and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness! Could it be this very disability that has instilled in her such outstanding beauty?

Isaiah 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

By ~ Elizabeth Yalian 2013 ©http://hiseyeisonthissparrow.com.