Today’s Daily Bread ~ It only hurts for a minute!

Romans 8:18-19 – Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will give us later.  For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who His children really are.

I woke up this morning right at 3:12am.  I had a snoring husband on one side (poor thing has a sinus infection, can’t be helped) and a snoring son on the other (he just snores – very cute coming from a 3 year old, just not at 3:12am).  I tossed and turned for about 30 more minutes to no avail – I was awake.

I have a faulty body-clock.  Anytime I have something big coming up, sleep is elusive the night before.  Falling asleep is not the problem.  My inner alarm simply gets excited and shakes me to consciousness well before necessary. 

Today, at 12:30pm my daughter and I will board a plane and head to Kansas City.  My sister and brother-in-law welcomed Jane Williams Beedle into the family fold shortly after 5pm on Tuesday.  That precious baby entered the world weight 8 lbs, 14 oz.  Understandably, I am anxiously awaiting my turn to draw her close and cover her in kisses.

Pregnancy is not kind to my poor sister.  Jane is her third child, and each time it’s been the same:  Nausea from the first trimester to the last.  Liz spent the last few months running on far less sleep than she’d like, simply too uncomfortable to get to that deep level of rest. I remember talking to my mom about it after Liz had her first child.  We both agreed that we’d understand if she never had another – so difficult was her first experience.  But here they are: a beautiful family of five.

Nick was my harder pregnancy.  I had gestational diabetes.  I caught the flu at week 30, then developed a cough so severe that I strained the muscles underneath my ribs.  I couldn’t get a deep breath, let alone lift my 11 ½ month old daughter.  But the second they placed my son in my arms, it faded away.  Looking at him today I know I would’ve suffered a hundred times over for the joy he brings.

Romans 8:20-21 – Against its will, everything on earth was subjected to God’s curse.  All creation anticipates the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay.

Have you ever noticed that Friday is the easiest work-day to get through?  Or that the last leg of a road trip is the least tedious?  That’s because the end is in sight.  Dear friend, God wants you to live with the end in sight.

Isaiah 65:17-19 – “Look!  I am creating new heavens and a new earth – so wonderful that no one will even think about the old ones anymore.  Be glad; rejoice forever in my creation!  And look!  I will create Jerusalem as a place of happiness.  Her people will be a source of joy.  I will rejoice in Jerusalem and delight in my people.  And the sound of weeping and crying will be heard no more.”

He knows it’s hard to be us.  We worship an empathetic God; One who chose to do this life with us.  He stepped into flesh and sandals and walked the road with us.  Our Heavenly Father is not like a king sequestered in his throne room.  Jesus is real.  He is here.  And this world, this life, is not it for us.   My spirit can hear Him whisper, “Sweet child.  I’m with you.  I love you.  This life does hurt at times, but it will only hurt for a minute.  And then you’ll be home.  And the sound of weeping and crying will be heard no more.”

Dear Jesus, You alone are our hope.  You alone are our hiding place.  You alone are our Rock, our Redeemer, our Protector.  You are all-knowing, all-loving and all-sufficient.  Your grace is enough.  Jesus, help us to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  So many of us are going through such difficulties:  Inflation, unemployment, illness, and losing loved ones.  Help us to see things through Your eyes.  Help us to remember that this world, and all that is in it, is temporary.  Help us to cling to You in the storms, and not forget you when the waters calm.  We praise You, Jesus, for all that You are.  Be near to us.  Hold on to us.  When the world around us gets overwhelming, help us to see Your face.  Help us to be Your hands and feet, that we might ease the suffering of those around us.  Give us generous hearts, filled to overflowing with love and compassion.  We thank You for the work on the cross, and the glory that is to come.  We pray these things in Your precious, holy name.  Amen.