It's a Gift

I am reading a very interesting little book called "God Never Blinks" by Regina Brett. (Thank you Tracie, by the way)  It is deceptively described as "50 Lessons for Life's Little Detours".  Sounds like one of those books you can put in your pocket and read at lunch. Just a minute, not so fast.  The author has twice been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize and has won numerous awards.  She has had many of life's detours and shares her life through teaching the lessons.  I have really enjoyed each chapter.  But none so much as today.  The chapter is called "God Never Gives Us More than We Were Designed to Carry".  Of course, you can guess what it is all about.  She tells a touching story of her aunt and uncle.  Their sixth child was born with Down Syndrome.  Her aunt got cancer and died when their baby was three years old.  Uncle Paul lost his job because he missed so much work, but he held the family together.  Little Brett was the "broken piece" that made the family whole.  Paul never complained about being a single parent of six.  He got his real estate licence so he could work from home.  He made Brett his life partner.  The children all took turns "mothering" him.  People wondered who would take Brett when Paul passed away.  The problem wasn't that he would be a burden, it was that everyone wanted him.  The day before Brett's sister was to marry, the family was all together for the rehearsal dinner.  Everything was chaotic as you can imagine.  All of a sudden out of the blue Brett said, "Don't worry, Mom's here.  Everything is going to be fine."  After dinner he collapsed from a pulmonary embolism.  No one could revive him.  Everyone in his family considered him a gift to them.  Quiet strength.  Paul would be the first to say, "God never gives us more than we were designed to carry.  Some of us were designed for more, some for less.  No matter what, even if we are asked to carry a portion of sky, it is beyond bearable.  It is a gift."  Sounds a little like a familiar scripture, doesn't it?  "....for I know that the Lord giveth no commandment unto the children of men, save He shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."