The Weight of the World

Today I write about an issue which has surfaced on the peripheral of my own life. Both of my children are in college and experiencing entirely different life stages than I, along with all the excitement, freedom and fun which college offers. The flip side to all that freedom can be the consequences thereof. Along those lines, I learned this week of at least three young college women who have suddenly found themselves burdened with unplanned pregnancies. It is not my place or intention here to judge them, rather I wish to sympathize with the complexity of their situations and offer them hope. They have difficult decisions to make in the coming weeks, which I surely don’t envy them. However, all is not hopeless and there are a host of options for those who are open to their consideration. What I want to say to you, young ladies, is that you are not alone. You have friends and family. There are countless councilors to advise you and there is a God who loves you and cares for you. You may feel alone or abandoned. You may feel lost or hopeless, but take heart. This is not the end of the world and you have both time and choices yet to spare. Take a deep breath and be willing to lean on those who love you. This last weekend, while praying and pondering over these issues, I wrote the following poem just for you. Feel free to share this with others even email me at the above address. Just know that people care about you and you are going to get through all this. What is more, you never know what may even turn out to be the seeds of future blessing in your life.

The Weight of the World
Right now, you feel abandoned
As you’ve watched love turn to dust
Seen the blossom of it whither
And a friend betray your trust
Leaving you to bear a burden
Which was meant for two to share
Instead, you stand alone, it seems
In a world that doesn’t care
And yet, you know you’re not alone
Less than ever, don’t you see
Someone is counting on you
A new responsibility
Now you find you’re faced with choices
You never dreamed you’d have to make
Force to chart a course through life
Beyond an unforeseen mistake
Perhaps you’re overwhelmed just now
And can’t see past today
With the weight of the world upon you
It’s difficult to find the way
But there is wisdom to be found
In friends and family
There are places you can turn
For support and help, you’ll see
God’s love is all around you
His arms are open wide
And a simple prayer is all it takes
To draw Him to your side
In the hours and days and weeks to come
There will be moments of despair
But you can rise above them
With the help of those who care
For what seems hopeless at this moment
In the darkness of this day
Can prove the seeds of future blessing
Somewhere down along life’s way
By Frank Carpenter