When Suffering and Sorrow Happens

Hinds’ Feet on High Places, my favorite children’s story, is an allegory about Much Afraid (someone inside each one of us) and the Shepherd—Jesus! Much Afraid lives in the valley with her relatives Gloomy, Spiteful, and Craven Fear. Oftentimes Much Afraid makes the mistake of allowing them into her cottage, causing her to feel weaker and more helpless.

The Shepherd encourages Much Afraid to leave the Valley and climb the steep mountain to the High Places. The air is clean there, and the healing streams wash away anything unlovely. No fears of any kind are there because ‘perfect love gets rid of fear.’

“I will help you when you call,” the Shepherd promises. “And as you begin your journey, I will give you my very best and strongest helpers, Sorrow and Suffering. They are two of the best teachers I have.”

Much Afraid burst into tears. She begged for Joy and Peace to go with her. It seemed she was faced with the impossible.

 Do you know someone who loves the Lord, but is experiencing sorrow and suffering? The journey seems ominous.

Fear, Leprosy and Praise!

When I arrived at Alicia’s doorstep, she met me with a ‘why are you here’ look. I expected to color her hair, as planned, and enjoy some girl talk. 

 “I guess you didn’t get my text message or phone message,” she said.

Apparently, my dear friend Alicia had canceled our appointment due to not feeling well. She assumed it best to remain quiet and not meet with me.

Earlier that day, I had been outside raking leaves. Then I rushed to get ready to go to lunch with my husband and our elderly friend. I ignored my cell phone and missed Alicia’s messages.

 “Well, you’re here!” Alicia graciously hugged me. “It seems the Lord wants me to get my hair colored today, anyway.”  

Alicia took careful consideration that God’s plan was different than hers.  She accepted it in spite of her physical and emotional struggles.   

While I saturated Alicia’s hair with color, she skimmed over what was upsetting her.  I suggested we pray because Alicia didn’t have the power to deal with her fears. I sensed this was the reason God had me show up.

Meet 'Miss Noboby'

 

Thea's 80th birthday celebration
in our home!

   “Let's visit the old people!”

     My husband and I had reached Shawnee Garden’s nursing center, our one-mile walking landmark, where we usually turn around and go home.

John resisted, “I’m wearing jogging shorts!”  

“Elderly people don’t care what you’re wearing. They’re lonely; they only want someone to talk to.” John consented.

    After introducing ourselves to the receptionist, we walked down a long corridor where one small framed woman, crouched over in her wheel chair, stared ahead. Hmm…I wonder if her mind is as shriveled as her body.

     “Hi, I’m Pam.” She returned a skeptical look for our smiles. “I’m Thea,” she responded, gruffly.

Thea’s thick German accent aroused our curiosity, triggering a string of questions. She methodically shared pieces of her life story.

Thea grew up in Munich, Germany, during Hitler’s cruel reign. Sometimes she hid for days from the Gestapo. “I still dream of bombs exploding.” One explosion left Thea unconscious and seriously injured.

Guess What's Happening in My Basement

Cold air gripped me the moment I crawled out of bed. Our furnace had died. 

My handy husband made several good attempts to fix it, while I stayed wrapped in my soft afghan, sipping a hot cup of coffee. I figured I’d soon enjoy a comfy, warm house again!

Instead, my nose and toes grew colder. I threw another blanket over me that wintry day, but I couldn't escape the chilly sensation. It triggered a burdensome thought. How do the homeless survive these freezing temperatures without adequate food and clothing?  With my bible open, Jesus’ words fueled my discomfort, “I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was homeless and you gave me a room, I was shivering and you gave me clothes…” (Matthew 25:35-36 MSG).

What Do You REALLY Need?

My needs change daily. Friends tell me I need to go on a cruise. Compelling online messages inform me I need the newest spring fashions, Botox, a steak dinner, a massage, and better toys and apparel for my pet!  Last week, peering out my window, I complained, “I need sunshine!”

Sound superfluous? How about these needs expressed by women friends? “I need the man of my dreams, a baby, more intimacy with my husband, friendship, healing, a successful ministry, more money.” Needs are as numerous and diverse as people in the world.

What do you really need?
                                                                                                                                                         

Many years ago, I discovered a shocking truth in God’s Word: “I lack nothing!” (Psalm 23:1) Because God is all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-caring; He is enough. He is sufficient. With Him I need nothing else! (Psalm 73:25-26)  So, why do I sometimes become burdened, sometimes driven, by an “I need” mentality?

Why I'm Still Married

After two months of marriage, I frequently threatened divorce. My deep-seated mistrust of men, including John, caused many heated arguments. Such as when my husband grabbed my sewing machine and hurled it to the floor. I stormed out of our apartment, crying.  Staying married seemed as far fetched as climbing  Mt. Everest!

Our good friends, Tom and Sue, flashed through my mind. Their marriage modeled joy and respect, something I wanted.

Sue held my hand as I spilled exaggerated stories about John’s faults. I swallowed my pride, returned home, yet held onto my resentment.

A week later, our friends invited us to their church. After one too many hymns, I mumbled something to John about wishing we had never come.

Pastor Andy called the next day and visited us. He shared about his wild hippie days, his broken marriage, and threatening his wife with a knife. What kind of a preacher is this? I wondered. Then he explained how God transformed him and saved their marriage.

Miracles Still Happen!

As a young child I entertained some incredulous ideas: chocolate milk comes from brown cows; crippled people are contagious; swallowing a watermelon seed will grow a watermelon in my tummy. Children believe the unbelievable!

That’s why I enjoy teaching kids’ Sunday school. They enthusiastically believe Jesus’ supernatural works:  feeding 5,000 folks with two fish and five loaves; raising the dead to life; healing lepers; turning water into fine wine! Our faith increases as we marvel at Jesus’ unusual, illogical, extraordinary works.

Several months ago my child-like faith was challenged, again, to reach beyond the printed pages of the Bible. My husband’s acute symptoms of a blocked primary artery invited lots of fearful “what ifs” which rumbled my faith.