Last night I finished reading a book, ‘Notes from the Dog’, by Gary Paulsen. Second book in a row that I’d read because a dog plays a major part. Second book in a row that has cancer as a main player in the story. That was not intentional. Yet, as I was several pages into the second book, and especially as I finished it, I asked myself why? To my knowledge I don’t have anyone in my immediate surroundings that this topic would apply to (not counting survivors). But I know there was a purpose. Perhaps preparation for somewhere down the line.

The interesting thing about experiences we go through is the we rarely know at the time how God might use them later. Not that I don’t have experiences where in that moment all I can think is “this sucks big time.” Like when my dad’s father passed away; or when I nearly cut off the tip of my finger; or when we put our dog Huey down. Oh, there are many more. (Why are those easier for me to recall than those moments that I never wanted to end? That’s another topic, I guess). Yet God, by His grace, has gifted each of us with the abilities of perspective and reflection and recovery.

FAITH WHEN DARKNESS COMES
by Preston Clark

When the night kneels down by your bed
In the time of your sadness,
Remember O child of the mountains
This word of the law:
The night is the shadow of God
Who made you for gladness,
And your sorrows are less than your strength
Which He foresaw.

May you find strength in God today for your own challenges, remembering that you are made for gladness. We will have moments where our only question is, “really, God, this is a moment I’m going to want to look back on?”. But hear these words from Psalm 31:7-8 – “I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul. You have not handed me over to the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place.”

GLADNESS! It is not easy, but is the way of our people. Better yet, it is not to be held onto, but to be shared.