I wanted a newer car (a 1987) with a tapedeck; I wanted new siding and insulation for back part of house. I wanted a new mattress for our bed, to replace sagging, split and lumpy one we had had for five years. (We bought it used for fifty dollars.) I wanted relief for Archie's paining back and arm. I wanted—well, list went on.

Then I realized what an ingrate I was. I have a nice little car, a comfortable home, a bed to lie on and a supply of food. I have a husband whose love, compassion and sensitivity are second to none . We have our animals (pets all, from dogs, cats and raccoon to horses, goats and chickens) and our neighbours and friends. Once again, list went on.

Am I really so different from you? Do you too find yourself focusing on what you want, instead of thanking God for what you have already? Do you, too, forget millions of souls on our weary planet who could live for a week on your daily diet? Do you, too, sometimes think that because you live in a Western society, you are entitled to share an affluent lifestyle? Do you, too, think that a camcorder is a need? a remote for your television, a necessity? a top-fashion outfit a prerequisite to your happiness?

We too have fought through night with problems too large to be borne. We too have prayed into seeming emptiness, seeking a God we know is there but somehow cannot reach from depths of our despair. We too have wondered why as co-heirs with Christ we cannot find ear of our loving Father - for we too experienced this blackness after asking Christ into our lives...

We too have wept bitter tears of loneliness. We too have dismissed others' proferred aid as meaningless, because nobody could appreciate our special needs....

But we were wrong - blessedly, joyously WRONG! We were wrong because we judged our needs by worldly standards. We were wrong because we sought a mentor in those around us. We were wrong because we had missed personhood of our God, for our God walked this way, too, before us!