A question asked by my youngest son one night during our evening meal, "Why do carrots get soft when they are hot?" brought to mind an illustration I once read. You can read it by clicking the link that follows...
www.moralstories.org/struggles-of-our-life/
Hard things happen.
Life changes.
Our bodies fail.
We get sick.
Our ears don't hear as well as they should.
It's easy to blame. To clench our fists and wonder why. To harden our hearts against the pain that assaults us. To be like the egg when boiled.
Jesus calls us to come to Him, pain and all. To become soft in Him and allow Him to change the ashes to beauty. Like the carrot or potato and coffee bean.
Come to Me... and learn of Me... all you who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28-29
Jesus does not belittle our pain, He is inviting us to come and learn of Him. To know Him.
His strength when ours is weak.
His grace that sustains us when we feel we can't go on.
His love that values us beyond what other words we may hear.
To know Him as Friend, All-Sufficient Grace, Power, Light, Truth. To experience His compassion, love, and embrace.
Lord, give us eyes to see beyond the pain and to see You. The courage to rest in Your embrace. The heart that finds You to be enough.
Lord, sometimes life simply hurts, we bring that pain to you because You care and ARE BIG ENOUGH to handle all that comes with a painful package.
Lord, we choose to believe. Choose to trust Your heart towards us. Choose to keep our hand in Yours till we are safely in Your Presence.
Lord, keep us. Hold us. Carry us. Sustain us.
Thank You, for the love You so freely give.
Thank You, for revealing Your Truth in our searching moments.
Thank You, we love You.
