Life is so filled with conundrums (just in case you hadn’t noticed); an example, however, was a big part of our lives this week. For the second time this summer we were delighted to welcome visits from our oldest granddaughters. Over the past few days, granddaughter #2 went walking with Grandpa while I gave her newly-wed husband a bus tour around the city. To top it off, our son was on some days off from his duties on a Coast Guard ship and a nephew and wife who’ve recently moved here also joined us. You would have enjoyed the laughter and excitement that was part of our weekly family supper.
On the more sobering side, I am in the midst of a number of medical tests and although I am receiving wonderful care and support from friends, family and medical staff, it’s always a trying time: “Will it prove to be nothing serious or won’t it?” As much as one knows the peace and comfort of God’s strength, we humans remain that, simply humans.
But even that reality is filled with conundrums. When asked by a friend about my health, I noted some of my concerns and she then told me of several ladies who were enduring terrible hardship and abuse. Talk about putting things into perspective! I realized that I had everything as good as it could humanly be: wonderful and free medical care, a loving husband, family and friends, and best of all, the prospect of an eternity with Christ if that should be the result of all this. Even our wonderful family week pales in comparison.
While heaven is a wonderful prospect, let’s tell those many around us who are facing terrible situations without knowing that God is there to sustain us, “A very present help in time of trouble….” (Psalm 46:1)
