Suffering

Ahh, the time-change. Not a fan of the whole spring-forward part. =) Anyway, this quote pretty much knocked my socks off!

“Whatever makes us more and more able to enjoy making much of God is a mercy. For there is no greater joy than joy in the greatness of God. And if we must suffer to see this and savor it most deeply, then suffering is a mercy. And Christ’s call to take up our cross and join Him on the Calvary road is love.”

John Piper (Don’t Waste Your Life)

It is so amazing to me, how much I have distorted true reality into this warped illusion that I live. Real life, as the Christian should live it, consists of trials and sufferings...just like everyone else in the world...only difference: Christians have the marvelous hope in the Saviour because the "story" did not stop at the tomb. It didn't even stop at the resurrection. The Story made it's glorious transition when Christ ascended from this fallen world to His Home, where He is seated at the right hand of God, interceding for us all! What GLORIOUS hope we have!

Oh, that I would see suffering as a mercy, and not as a curse, as I so often do. Then would I find joy in the midst of my trials, and find comfort in seeing God's sovereign hand over my life. I LOVE that last line: "Christ's call to take up our cross and join Him on the Calvary road is LOVE"...when I try to picture that, I don't picture Christ lovingly handing me a cross, me eagerly taking hold of it and skipping down the path of life. I picture a huge, rugged, splinter-full cross being placed on my back and me reluctantly taking it...out of religious duty, and trudging down the path. Why do I not remember that the sufferings I endure cheerfully in this life will be rewarded to me in the next? Why do I not remember that the trials I endure now are nothing compared to those who are physically suffering for the Gospel? If I am easily shaken at the uncertainty of my future, do I think it will be a breeze to be persecuted for my faith?

O Father, let me see suffering as a mercy from You, that I may lift my eyes off myself and see You more clearly! Help me to joyfully accept my burdens as signs of love and care from You.

Amen.

Singles Dinner

Okay, so I get to brag on my brothers in Christ a little. =)

LAST Thursday, the guys in my Singles Caregroup decided to make dinner for all us ladies in the care group...and yes, I said "made". We're not talking spaghetti here, folks. I walked in with Ariel...not really knowing WHAT to expect. David greeted us from the porch (where he was grilling chicken) and said we could pick up one of the long-stemmed roses that was waiting for us by the stairs (first surprise!).

Then Jeremy and Eric greeted us from the kitchen where they were putting the finishing touches on a freshly-made salad, green beans, hot bread, and an alfredo pasta dish that I had never had before (lasagna noodles rolled up and set in alfredo sauce, it was really good!). Then Daryll brought out a 7-layer dessert that we all enjoyed! It consisted of pudding, bananas, vanilla wafers, chocolate chips, cherries, cherry sauce, and whipped cream. Yum!

It was a wonderfully relaxed evening. We just sat and talked while we ate, and then when we were done we played "have you ever"...I think that's what it's called...where everyone sits in a circle and one person stands in the middle and says something like "If you've ever...gone swing dancing on a friday night (then you have to get up and find another chair to sit in without ending up in the middle)". It was a lot of fun, though people did get ruthless...especially some of the girls. ;) But thankfully nobody got hurt...too bad.

Anyway, thanks to all the guys who made that evening possible. It was really special and we all appreciated it.