Saturday, December 28, 2013

Pain and Joy

Do you remember that feeling?
It came with youth and inexperience.
Something rocked your world
and it felt like there would never be
anything good in life, again.
God is good.
Life goes on.
We grow up
and learn these things.

Today, 
I am overjoyed to learn
that the doctor who
delivered my son
is recovering well from 
heart surgery.
It didn't go smoothly.

Today, 
I am to meet a treasure,
the daughter of two
young people who are
related to me 
and who are special.
In fact, he is an active duty
Green Beret.
She is a darling
who lost her first fiance 
suddenly
and has gone on 
to find life good.
I have been looking forward
 to this day,
for months.

Today, 
I learned that
the sudden death of a
young acquintance
on Christmas Day
was caused by
the physical abuse
heaped on her by
her husband.

Words are weak.

I have many of them.

None seem right.

Just for a few minutes
I have, again, 
that feeling.

My experience 
and
my faith
tell me that
I will love the baby.
I will find joy 
in the recovery of
the doctor.
I will see beauty.
I will have peace
and it will pass understanding.

It begins.
The joy returns.
The peace starts
to flood my soul.

Remember.

Remember
we are of 
the moment,
but our Father
knows the end
from the beginning.

Safe in the arms of Jesus --
yes, it's true.
 We all are,
no matter how we feel
just now.


8 comments:

  1. Yes, I do know this feeling.... praying for you.
    Christina

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Christina.
      The baby is adorable.
      The memorial service is next week.
      I want to be an encouragement.
      I just don't know how to do it.

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  2. If I may give a bit of encouragement? I lost a baby about seven years ago. It was a little girl. I was devestated. There is a lot more to the story I won't share here, but I've learned something about helping people in grief.
    Words are not always necessary. In our discomfort to have the right words
    of comfort and godly wisdom, we can say a lot of things that actually
    damage the griever further..I lost a baby and was told by someone close to
    me that I should enjoy the ones I had already. Sometimes a hug, or just your supportive presence is better than anything. Your prayers, and possibly a meal, or some sort of practical help would be appreciated.
    Its so hard to know what to do sometimes, but I hope this little bit helps.
    Ill be praying. God bless and comfort.
    Christina

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We were just talking about this, today, Christina.
      Makes me smile to think of it, but this actually happened about 7 years ago. I was going through something and a friend of mine told me she never knew what to say. I told her I had heard something like this, "I don't know what to say, but I want you to know I care." So, she looked at me and said, "I don't know what to say, but I want you to know I care." :)
      I appreciate your prayers.
      I'm sorry for your pain.
      Have you noticed that these things make us kinder to other people who are suffering? Maybe it's just me. :)

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  3. Yes! The bible says that we are to comfort others with the comfort we've been given in our experiences. Also our experiences are not only for ourselves, but for others. Theres nothing like a friend who has been thru what you're going thru. They can offer you support and comfort and encouagement. I know God made it so on purpose. ;). As for my pain. You never really get over it but you get thru it. I thankyou. God knew that I needed that very painful experience to go into a deeper relationship with Him. I learned how to praise Him despite my loss.
    I know that you will show true compassion to this family. To be His hands and feet to them.
    Christina

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Though I have never known anyone who was murdered, before, I trust that our Father will answer your (and my) prayers. Thank you.

      Delete
  4. It was in response to being kinder to others in pain;)
    I have not known anyone who was murdered eaither. Sorry if I got confused.
    Christina

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't think you were confused, Christina. I was just saying that I'm trusting God to answer our prayers even though I've never been in this situation, before.

      Delete