HE Knows

A lot, of people have asked me "How are you?" and you know, right now I'm okay.  I'm used to this part.  I'm used to saying goodbye. I'm used to the heartache of the first few days.  I'm used to finding a new groove without him here. I'm used to all of this. Once we get into this for more than 4 months, that's when I'm going to be finding my way through new territory. This deployment has been looming over our heads for 2 years. Zach's been going in and out to sea the entire time just to get the ship ready to stay out for this long one.  During this time I've had a lot of time to think about it. 

God has helped me through every situation in my life so far and I can always see how He is there helping me and giving me strength to make it.  I have always had one little kink in my faith when it comes to this new adventure in my life though...Jesus knows all our woes because He came to earth and experienced them. We are told this in Hebrews 2:18, "Therefore He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people." But how does He know how I'm feeling? He wasn't married.  He didn't have a 'love of his life', so how does He understand this pain I'm in?  How can He understand what I'm going through if He's never had to long for someone before?

And then it hit me just yesterday after these 2 years of  "this isn't fair" and "no one understands what I'm feeling." Jesus understands exactly what I've been feeling because He had to leave Heaven and come down here to Earth.  He was longing for His home for 33 years and here I am complaining about 9 months...

Don't you think Jesus missed Heaven? Don't you think He longed for the presence of God?  He knew what it was like to be with God Almighty and yet He had to come down here and live a life like us so that we could one day be in the presence of God with Him.  He says in John 14:2, ^"In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." Don't you think He missed those mansions?  Jesus gave up everything  to come down here to save you and me.  I think I can trust Him to get me through anything that this life throws at me.  And I think I can trust that He understands what my longing for Zach feels like, because I'm sure my longing is miniscule in comparison to the longing Christ had for the presence of God while He was down here on Earth. 

No matter what you're going through, no matter how big or how small Jesus understands how you are feeling. And if He understands how you are feeling then He will 100% be able to help you make it through.  Jesus loves you and He proved it not only by dying on a cross for your sins, but by leaving the presence of our Almighty God and longing to be back there with Him for 33 years. 

If something is weighing you down, share it with Jesus.  He will help you carry your load.

Ashley