Are You Still Asking...Why?

I just finished reading one of the poems from our little book, BENT…but not BROKEN! and I can hardly believe that it has been 20 years since that horrendous childhood cancer wrecked our daughter Alyson’s life. We are so blessed to have a beautiful, healthy and vivacious young woman who still honors and respects her parents. I also read another article recently about a family that had lost their son in a horrible accident and I found in that headline the same question that I remembering asking when cancer threatened to take the life of our little 5-year old….WHY HER …..WHY US?

It seems that whenever life’s trials and tribulations confront us, whether we are faithful Christians or not, the first question we ask is “Why me, Lord, why me?” It’s almost like we are expecting that all the bad, terrible, horrendous outcomes in the world should somehow happen to someone else…particularly those “sinners” that are lost and without hope. I know when the cancer hit, I felt that way. But then, I remember a scripture that God lead me to in the first days of our year long ordeal; one that deals with our suffering in Philippians 1:29 that read, “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for His sake.”

I must admit, I reeaaallly struggled with this...that somehow the thought that it had been granted to me and my family that we should suffer. But, the Lord taught me daily the lesson that to believe in Him made it necessary that I be prepared to suffer for His sake….and suffer we did; but God was ever at our side. His daily provision and care kept us focused on getting beyond the pain and the suffering that we were enduring. As we watched our brave little girl battle an enemy that was determined to win, we held tightly to this one thought…. OUR GOD WAS GREATER THAN WHAT LAY BEFORE US….

And our God always is……

Greater than the disease you have; greater than the bills you owe; greater than the loss of a precious loved one; greater than ANYTHING that Satan may bring against you. For you have been granted to suffer for Christ …FOR HE SUFFERED FOR YOU!!!!! So when the trials of life seem insurmountable, don’t try to run and hide or dodge this time of suffering for...GOD IS AT WORK IN AND THROUGH YOU...and although the outlook may not be good, the UPLOOK is always perfect!

So, believe in Christ today and let His love be sufficient for all the pain and suffering that you are enduring. I know that you will still ask WHY?  I did; but that’s okay…..GOD KNOWS WHY….and He’s only got your VERY BEST outcome at the heart of His heart.

Remember, when you can't see the hand of God at work, that's okay...for you can ALWAYS TRUST HIS HEART....He is working everything out for you good!!!!!!

Suffering together...Honoring Jesus in all of life's trials,

WPQ

Poem for the day:

How Can This Be?

As I sit by her bedside, I try hard not to cry.

I fight he urge inside me to scream and ask God, "WHY"?

Why, oh God chose my little girl, the apple of my eye?

What purpose could this misery serve...

Oh, why not pass her by?

What could she have possibly done? Or, Father was it me?

That brought this dreadful cancer, this unending misery.

She's such a perfect angel...how can this truly be?

So, if you really love us Lord, remove this malady.

For we know you have the power, Lord;

It is well within your might...To prove us victorious;

To help us win this fight!

We'll try hard not to doubt You; we'll try hard to understand.

We'll try to believe that through all of this,

It's part of your Master Plan.

So, hear our prayer, dear Father; grant us your peace today.

Heal our darling baby girl; please wipe our tears away.

Grant us your strength and power, Lord;

Sufficient for our needs today.

Enfold us in your loving arms...

Draw us close to You....and stay.

(excerpt from Bent..but not Broken!)

WPQ © Bent...but not Broken!

October 1997