A Little Closer
This week I think I am a little closer to understanding what it means to share in the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings.
I admit that this has puzzled me. Didn’t the sufferings of Jesus cover everything? He saved us from our sins. His blood flowed over the Skull hill, down through the valley, out through the portals of all time to invite us to gather under the flow and be cleansed.
I’m discovering that there is a sweetness in shared suffering. We can’t stop the bad things that happen to us or our loved ones, but we can bring them to Abba Daddy and we can share our sufferings with one another.
Shared Suffering
It’s been a difficult winter. One friend is suffering with a body that suddenly decided to quit serving her and doctors don’t know why. It’s been a long road to regain motor skills. We’ve been by her side to love, laugh and pray together.
Several friends have gone before us to glory. Some, I am sure, must be too soon. But God knows our time. We have had opportunities to communicate our love, care, memories with them or about them.
Perhaps there is a purpose in sharing our sorrows. We do prove that we need one another.
I may have written before about my 15 year old grandson who is fighting a courageous battle against cancer. It’s an aggressive kind, but he has done well. God has given him extra measures of strength and energy and even some special touches along the way. His parents have been faithful to walk beside him and God has brought gracious people to help in every way. The prayers of God’s people have been sensed.
Another family got a diagnosis of cancer for their three year old daughter. I can only imagine the shock. This family is following a program much like that for my grandson. Another family is keeping a vigil at the bedside of a beloved mother who hit her head in a fall.
I could go on and I’m sure many more can be added. We live in a fallen world and sorrow – especially in winter – seems to run rampant.
Allowing God’s Comfort
Our God has never left us. He has not changed. His heart has always been to gather us under the safety of His wings like the mother hen does her chicks. He said so. He is our place of safety when the world whirls around us. He is strong. He knows our grief. He knows what we need at all times. He is faithful. He is trustworthy. He goes before us. He is our rearguard. His arms are around us. His peace is always offered as we trust him in our storms.
My friend, Laurie Klein, wrote a recent blog post about the trauma she and her husband are enduring. I am so sorry for the health issue that brought about her blog, but I am grateful that she wrote these words just at this particular time when so much grief seems overwhelming. This was truly a gift for me.
Take some time to visit Laurie’s blog and watch her You Tube videos. Let her encourage you. Thank you, Laurie, for allowing us to share in the praise of our God that sorrow has brought about. And may your hubby enjoy a full recovery.
“…How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” Matthew 24:37b.
Let us be willing to be gathered close under the loving arms of our Abba!
Linda Jo, I am adding my prayers to yours this morning, for your dear ones in need and for you as well. May the Man of Sorrows, who came for the joy set before him, hold you close and comfort you, gently easing your grief and guiding your acts of love.
Thank you for sharing this link to my blog. May our readers feel strengthened, as Moses did with Aaron and Hur alongside during the battle.
Thank you, Laurie, for your prayers for my family. I think the Man of Sorrows knows more about this than any of us, eh? May He continue to hold us all. It is my pleasure to share your link. Your blog is beautiful, a reminder of how our God does battle for us. I love the picture of Moses, Aaron and Hur!
These seasons of life are often hard to endure because we can’t explain them. I find myself asking for answers, even when I know they won’t come. It’s another opportunity to remind myself God is sovereign and I needn’t worry about life or death. Still, it’s hard to watch suffering.
Yes, indeed, it IS hard to watch suffering. Especially when it is our beloved family members. It is good to know that God holds us all.