Why Me? Why Not...

As I was blog hopping a little yesterday, I happened across this link ~ Nie Recovery.

What I found was the story of a beautiful family suffering through a tragic accident. You can check it out, but basically the happy young couple you will see when you click on the link are now recovering from burns they suffered in a small plane crash. The wife over 80% of her body -- the husband over 30%.

As I was looking at their blog and reading their story, it made me think about how often we are tempted to ask the question "Why me?" when something goes wrong in our lives. I'm guilty of it myself. Whether it's a true tragedy -- like a death or disease -- or just a bump in the road -- like the loss of a job or maybe a car or house repair you weren't expecting -- it's easy to panic initially and think, "Why is this happening to ME?"

The truth is -- we should not be asking why me, but instead -- why NOT me? Bad things happen to good people all the time and while it doesn't always make sense or seem fair, it's the way life goes. Why should any one of us be immune to tragedy? And wouldn't you agree that it is in those darkest hours that we often learn what we are really made of -- and what those around us are made of? It gives us the opportunity to build our strength and our character, if only we are willing to accept and move forward.

I am one who believes God has a plan. As I read through the story of this family, it seems they have tremendous faith and they too, feel God has a plan and things happen for a reason. I am always so inspired by people of faith ~ people who can draw on that faith even when it feels like God has turned His back on them. Everything does happen for a reason -- even though sometimes, it takes us a long time to find out what the reason might be.

Before I had any of my children, I had two miscarriages (and another between my first two kids). One was at 20 weeks of pregnancy and not only was I incredibly sad, I was angry at times. I would see other parents out with their kids -- screaming at them, ignoring them -- and I would think, "Why do those people get to have kids, but not me??" I would cry about it. It wasn't my place to judge anyone -- but I did. The baby I lost at 20 weeks was a little girl and she would have had Downs Syndrome. I often wonder if God took her from us because we wouldn't have been strong enough to handle it. I like to think I would have handled it fine. But who really knows. Now I tell my other kids that she is their own personal angel in Heaven -- a big sister (who we named Allyson Grace) looking out for them, keeping them safe.

I still mourn the children I lost, but I often think about the fact that had things happened differently, the children I DO have right now would not be here -- and I certainly cannot imagine life without them! My miscarriages DID make me learn a lot about myself -- my spouse -- others who have experienced the same thing. They changed me. Each time God had a plan and these things have helped to make me who I am today.

I wish I was in a position to help this family in their suffering -- the only help I can offer is prayers and I hope you will do the same. And let's all continue to remind each other that good things CAN come out of tragedy. If only we believe.

Have a great Labor Day weekend -- God bless!