Good morning…
“Sue,” he wrote, “while you’re probably familiar with these comforting words of Francis de Sales, your message, Too Much Suffering, brought them to mind. ‘Have no fear for what tomorrow may bring. The same loving God who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow and every day. God will either shield you from suffering or give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace then and put aside anxious thoughts and imaginations.'”
This special friend went on to encourage: “Jesus is always close to us, and never closer than when we, or someone we love, are experiencing fear and pain. What a friend we have in Jesus!”
This wisdom came with me to Kipp Woodson Park Academy yesterday. As we set out breakfast and mingled with one hundred and twenty teachers who devote their lives to high risk children in our community, I thought to myself, “All of these caring people are either being shielded from some sort of suffering or are being given unfailing strength by God to bear it. They have their own stories of struggle, just like me, just like my parents, just like my many friends experiencing various forms of fear and pain.”
Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how” (Mark 8:34, MSG).
As we embrace suffering of all sorts, we let Jesus lead, step by step, day by day.
We walk with our best friend with one request in mind: Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life (Psalm 143:8, NIV).
…Sue…
P.S. A huge thanks goes out to all who contributed to our “back to school breakfast” provided by PAWkids. Tom and Marie Herr (in honor of three year old cancer patient, Ludvig). Shannon Saxon. Margaret Long. Tamara Guilday. Debbie Wilson. Gailyn Thornton. Suzanne Howard. Ella Herlihy. Laura Deisley. Gayle Boland. Jean Young. D.D. Peters. Jenny Bianchi. Elizabeth Edge. Molly Monk. Lisa Wargo. Diane Farmer. Connie Ramsey.
With the surplus of money we received, Larenzia and I have decided to support the back to school needs of three children whose father was killed this summer six days after he was released from jail.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
