Life Lessons

I’m writing tonight from a hospital room. One of my children was hospitalized late last night. After lots of tests, we are relieved to learn that the complication is not a life threatening issue. Healing will come with time, effort and skilled care. But, even though it is not life-ending, it is definitely life changing, and life redirect-ing. In other words, it’s life happening! Our family has seen many tender mercies this week. I feel truly blessed in all things. We are especially blessed to have access to excellent medical care (whether it’s “affordable” is yet to be seen…). After enduring a long, dark and dreary night – both literally and figuratively – look at this amazing view the morning brought us!

My message today is that no matter what happens to us, I truly believe that our Heavenly Father  is aware of us. He is blessing us step by step through the remarkable learning and growing opportunities we are given here on earth. Of course, these “remarkable” experiences are usually uncomfortable, often scary and sometimes downright miserable. But, they are still remarkable, nonetheless. This latest “remarkable experience” our family is experiencing is simply another challenge on the road of life. What we will learn from it and where we will go from here is still yet to be revealed. But, we place our trust in our loving Heavenly Parent that He has a Plan, and we begin to walk forward. One of my favorite poets expressed it so beautifully, this way;

THE LESSON

Yes, my fretting
Frowning child,
I could cross the room
To you
More easily.

But, I’ve already
learned to walk,
So I make you
Come to me.

Let go, now –
There!
You see?

Oh, remember
This simple lesson,
Child
And when
In later years
You cry out
With tight fists
And tears –
“Oh, help me,
God – please” –
Just listen
And you’ll hear
A silent voice:

“I would child,
I would.
But I know
It’s you, not I,
Who needs to grow.”

by Carol Lynn Pearson