Hope in suffering
I’ve been handing out a lot of Motrin, Tylenol, popsicles, pulling out a lot of chlorox wipes, wiping up a lot of bodily fluids, hugging hot and feverish bodies and taking a lot of temperatures lately. And it’s no coincidence that I’ve been studying the book of Job in a Bible study just recently and Kevin has been teaching a series at Church for exactly 8 weeks – we are very aware of Satan’s “attack” on us.
Last night at midnight, I was administering Ashtyn’s meds – she was very feverish and had the chills, pale etc. I pulled out some books and read to her hoping to relieve some of her misery because she loves reading. One book was a book on heaven that was just given to us by a friend. In a matter of minutes the words that poured out of my mouth reflected on the book’s pages turned into a beautiful, teachable moment. In Ashtyn’s sickness and my helplessness to take it from her, there stood the reminder of the joy that is awaiting us in heaven and the hope that it brings – no more will there be sickness, fevers and feeling yucky! She then proceeded to tell us she wanted to die first because she couldn’t wait to go to heaven – so precious to see her eagerness and to truly experience the longing for her real home in a real, tangible time of weakness. This morning she told me she thought God “made” her sick because she disobeys Him sometimes. Before I wrote that off and tried to convince her that certainly that wasn’t true, I thought about it and how sometimes He does allow that in our lives. God loves us too much to let the comforts of this world keep us from knowing the comfort, healing and rest that is found in Him alone.
So even in this suffering- this seemingly endless season of sickness, God is at work. We can know God’s peace and be patient as we trust in the beautiful tapestry of grace God is working in our family.
When we feel spent amidst the suffering in our lives, there is always something greater than what the eye can see. May you cling to that which is greater as you eagerly await your home in heaven where there shall be no more sickness or crying or pain and where our enemy will be destroyed forever.
and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur…and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”
Revelation 20:10
praying for you guys…i know it is so hard to continue to care for everyone when you yourself are tired and weary. God’s grace is evident though as you are able to encourage and teach your sick ones…beautiful!
I was traveling with an old college friend this weekend and we had a discussion along these lines. She is restling with some of these questions and I am sending her the link to this blog. You summed it up when you said that God loves us too much to let the comforts of this world keep us from knowing the comfort, peace, and rest that is found in only Him! Thanks for the post! Perfect timing:)