Corona Devo 465

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, (3) because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. (4) Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  ~James 1:2-4

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.  ~Romans 8:18

"Suffering" can have a range of definitions, but on any level, there is almost always a heightened degree of gratitude on the other side of it.  

Simply put--we need the rain to appreciate the sun...

~~~~~~~~~~

...Everything about the experience made sense on paper and in my spirit.  Our boys were going to camp for a week.  Fun, activities, new friends and old...and Jesus. It was a recipe for summer fun, spiritual growth and for letting boys be boys.  

But the missing ingredient was me.  I've never been apart from them for a (whole!) week and I missed them terribly. 

But that made their homecoming all the sweeter. 

They had a blast, they had amazing stories to tell, and it turns out, they didn't miss me that much.  The ironic thing about parenting is that we are doing our job if they end up not needing us.  I "suffered" for the week: praying and worrying that they were okay, but they were busy having fun and having glory revealed in them.  

Plus...the homecoming.  A hug from them never felt so good, and it felt that way because I had to suffer through not having a hug or them for a while.  

On a similar struggle/"glory revealed" and trials producing perseverance note, we took a drive on the way home from camp.  Although mid-afternoon, as the miles passed, I watched the day turn into "night" at only 4 PM.  Lightning flashed on both sides of the road and sky and thunder seemed to puncture the ground with it's booms.  I kid-you-not when I say it became as dark as night.  For a few tense miles (and what felt like an eternity) I gripped the steering wheel, and drove through zero-visibility in storms and the heaviest rain and wind I've ever seen.   

But eventually the curtains of darkness were drawn slowly open to reveal lighter skies, and soon, we were driving in full sun and blue sky.  Oh the homecoming!

It was as if I had never driven in daylight before, because there was pure joy in my spirit for the treat and safety of doing so.  

Simply put--we need the rain to appreciate the sun...
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, (3) because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. (4) Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.   ~James 1:2-4
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.  ~Romans 8:18
If I had not experienced the absence of our sons, I would not appreciate our togetherness as much as I did at pick-up today.

If I had not experienced the heavy rains and limited driving vision, I would not have appreciated the clear blue skies and dry pavement.  I have a fresh appreciation for both now.

I realize that these micro-events in our lives are snapshots of what the Lord is trying to teach us about life and also about death.  Delayed gratification.  The struggle today produces gratitude and appreciation tomorrow.  Life is hard, but Heaven is real.
 
The struggles, trials, and pain can be excruciating.  They can be blinding, and they can be binding.  They can be immobilizing.  But if we can just persist and know that there is a Light on the other side, we will get through today. We will get through the struggle.  That struggle is creating a darkness around us at the moment, but hang on and stay safe if you are in the middle of it: the clouds will break and the sun will reappear.   And oh, the homecoming.

When the rain subsides, joy is doubled, because we now appreciate the lack-of-rain.  

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.  ~Romans 8:18

It feels unrealistic to actually consider our present sufferings not worth comparing...to anything...  Because it stinks to be present in our suffering.  But we all go through periods when we are in the middle of suffering. The suffering is present in our lives, and we are in the middle of it.  But if we can persist, the sun will shine once more. The rain will recede.  The joy will return.  Our "life-curtains" will be drawn open and light will shine on us once again.  

"Suffering" can have a range of definitions, but on any level, there is almost always a heightened degree of gratitude on the other side of it.  

Simply put--faith is understanding that we need the rain to appreciate the sun...

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, (3) because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. (4) Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.   ~James 1:2-4

Blessings,
sarah
https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com

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