~St. Therese of Lisieux
There has been so much suffering in the world from the beginning of the world. Recently we have the terrorists that bomb cities and shoot people and try to cripple us. Everyday there is some family who is struck by tragedy.
I have been following a country music couple that I had never heard of before. The wife was diagnosed with cancer and has enter Hospice Care. They have a 20 month old baby. Much is being written about her valiant struggle and their hope that there will be others who can learn from her suffering. As Joey moves into Hospice Care they are still hoping for a miracle.
A miracle. We all hope for a miracle. The miracle that we hope for is one based on our own wants, needs, and desires. We struggle mightily to see the wisdom of God's Will. Yet, it is how we face our suffering that makes all the difference in the world.
If we can abandon ourselves to enduring suffering with Joy then we have not suffered in vain. Just today I spoke with my Prayer Partner and she reminded me that another friend is facing the first year anniversary of her partners death. She is dreading the anniversary and doesn't know what to do.
My Prayer Partner recently lost a good friend and is struggling with the loss. It seems so unnecessary that her friend died. We wonder if things could have been done differently and then perhaps a different outcome. God has a way of doing things in His own Time and in His own Way. We struggle and He answers that He knows best and we may not be able to see the wisdom of His Way.
Jesus suffered so much in the Garden of Gethsemane that He sweated blood. He asked His Father to take the cup, but in the end He accepted His Father's Will and drank the cup to the bitter dregs.
Miracles come in God's Way, not ours.
Lord,
how painful it must be to see your world in such distress.
Help us to look past our fear and respond with Joy to our suffering and loss.
Help us to not let our fear make us stumble on the path to faith and acceptance.
Help us to embrace the Year of Mercy that is approaching with an open heart and mind.
~Cindy
Thank you saying what we all need to hear and remember. Like you have told me more than once God writes strait with crooked lines. I think the suffering we do here on earth is part of our penance . Love your favorite sister.
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