Grace in Pain

I confess...I am a wimp when it comes to pain. A simple blood test scares me. Smiling is difficult during a migraine. Therefore, I admire people who are courageous and graceful in the midst of suffering.

For as long as I have known her (five years) , my friend Sharon has been fighting multiple sclerosis and serious cancer.
She has been tested, scanned, poked, biopsied in every possible way. Through surgeries, chemo, radiation, hair-loss, unsteadiness, nausea & broken bones she remains kind & gracious.

When I call and ask how she's doing, she does not dwell on her difficult situation. Instead, she will immediately ask, "How are YOU doing?"

She is interested in my life, asking about my day, my children, my grandchildren . She really cares.

That's unselfish graciousness.

SILENCE

About a year ago, a visit to the audiologist revealed that I was born with a blockage in my eardrum. It explained a lot of things - the awful pain in my ear during an airplane flight especially during take off or landing and the constant high-pitched squeal in my ear. I had come to consider this as normal.

Therefore, I do not do well with prolonged silence. I prefer "white noise" such as soft background music or even the hum of a fan to cover the shrill squeal in my head.

But today I had a silent, quiet day.

no music
no T.V.
no computer
no reading a novel or newspaper
no shopping at the mall

Just reading my Bible, listening and praying.

God & I had a very good day.

"Be still and know that I am God"