Which Way is Up?

One of the most irritating things a person can say to me is, "Someone else has it worse than you.". I know they are trying to make me feel better about a situation, but the last thing I want to hear is that my problems and struggles don't matter! Don't dismiss my pain as unimportant. God cares about me and what's going on in my life just as much as that person who's house just blew away in a tornado or something! My dad used to say that stupid phrase all the time...."Someone else has it worse than you." or "You don't have it so bad...at my age I....". That's another thing... don't make me listen to how bad you had it when you were my age!  Grrr....ok, this wasn't meant to be an angry blog.

I never knew I had so much pride until this last week. Times are rough for a lot of people with the economy these days. We haven't felt it too terribly bad until recently. Yes, Michael has been unable to find a job that pays enough in over a year, but we've survived during that time financially. Now, I'm a little...well, a lot worried. The pride comes in with me not wanting to ask people for help, though we are coming to a point that we need it. I've always been the one to give to others whether I much or little to give. How in the world do I allow myself to be on the receiving end???