Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Joy in Suffering

Many authors have hashed this out in many different ways.  I'm hashing this out in a very elementary way to help me understand more fully.

As I stood at my stove a few weeks ago, wishing I had more children, I realized my joy, my faith is witness to those around me who know my wish.  I am a shining light for Jesus because I suffer.   I want.  Yet I believe and trust.

I stood in line at the pool concession stand yesterday.  Earlier in the day, I had burned my hand and I needed a steady stream of ice water to cool the burn.  The ice water had turned tepid and my hand was on fire.  I thought about asking the kids at the front if I could cut.  I know them from Religious Ed.  They would have gladly let me in.  As I contemplated what to do, I started to think about women around the world who burned their hands that day trying to cook on open fire.  Certainly it happens all the time if I I burned my hand on my first world stove.  I thought of dirt floors and bare feet and tin walls.  I thought of flies buzzing and dirty water and humid air.  I prayed for these women and their families as I waited in pain.  The pain connected me.  It opened me up.  It humbled me.  I was thankful for it.

The joy in suffering isn't just a page in a book anymore.

9 comments:

  1. You are right...we do have it good compared to some others. I do remind myself when I'm suffering "It could always be worse."

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  2. Oh man, so true. You can't compare what you've read in books with really knowing something like that. This is a beautiful post. God bless you!

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  3. So enlightening. Thank you for posting. And lucky you at a pool!

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  4. I love it! Thank you for sharing! Suffering can be a beautiful thing that is used for good.

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  5. This is such a good reminder. We all live well, so well. I have been reading some African missionary blogs and it is shocking how they live, how many children live and how well we live and how unhappy we are.

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  6. So powerful! I know God has used your suffering in such a good way! Thanks for sharing and inspiring me to also suffer as well when I have the opportunity.

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  7. I'm on my break on my first day back from teaching...and this reflection lead me to a much needed exhale. :) What beautiful acceptance.

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