Yesterday was Passover and I pushed my limits. By bedtime my body throbbed

from head to toe. Cramps ran up and down the length of my back and legs. Even

laying flat the sharp pain in my hips continued. My sweet husband was rubbing

my feet and legs trying to work some of the cramps out and asked the question,

“What purpose could there be in this?” I think purpose in pain is even harder

to see for those who watch us suffer, than for those who do the suffering. I kept

thinking about the words of my husband and at the same time God brought the face

of my daughter to me. Purpose in pain. I don’t pretend to have all the answers but

I do know that as parents who suffer we do need to be able to share with our children,

God even within the suffering. I thought of the following and pray that on this Good

Friday that serves as a reminder to us of the One who has suffered both spiritually

and physically to limits we will never have to endure, that we can go to Him with

total trust and say, “Jesus take my burden” and He will sustain us. Crushing burdens

made light, not removed but changed from weights to wings that lift us closer to Him.

"Teach me the glory of my cross; teach me the value of my thorn.  Show me that I have

climbed to Thee by the path of pain.  Show me that my tears have made my rainbows."

-George Matheson

Oh to know that our pain is not for naught. To see value in the thorns and to

understand that this path of tears and pain is one that is leading us to be closer to Him.

He has told us to pick up our cross and follow Him. The cross of Calvary was splintered

and rough. Our loving Savior stumbled under its weight. He bled over the rough splintered

timber, which were neither polished nor smooth. Why do I so often desire to bear a cross

that is polished and smooth, when it has NOTHING to do with that of my loving Savior?

I am lifting a prayer today that you will each see in your heart the glory of your

cross, the value in your thorns, the path that has lead to Him, and the rainbows

from your tears!

You are precious to Him, the one who showed how much He loves you, by dying on

the cross. It was His love for you that held Him to the cross,

not the nails in His hands and feet. You are loved!

Shalom uv'rachah b' Y'shua Ha Mashiach
Peace & blessings in Messiah Jesus

Cindy