12.04

Oh, To Be Loved (God & Leslie)

Romans 5:1-5

Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
2 through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God.
3 And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance,
4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,
5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

Life has thrown me a few curve balls, the loss of a child through stillbirth, a breast cancer diagnosis, and the loss of both my parents 6 months apart.  So, unfortunately when it comes to suffering, I know a thing or two about this subject.   

 For me the beginning of a period of suffering comes with a lot of pain and anger.  Why am I having to go through this? What is the purpose of this pain? There is anger at God for allowing this to be a part of my life, but steadfast and through it all, He has always been faithful and meets me in my darkest times.   

 God brings joy during these times through people in my life.  I have seen joy in the way my community has responded and helped me and my family and their relationships.  I have seen joy in the conversations I have had with my circle of friends and the comfort they provide. I see joy in the passing of time.  I think about the poem “Footprints In The Sand”

“During your times of trial and suffering, when you only see one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.” 

I think of the song “Oh to Be Loved” by Thad Cockrell 

“He knows the name of my sorrows. He knows the names of my fears. Why should I let them bother me for I know that he is near.” 

—Leslie Biddle