That was one weeks worth of parental anguish.
There are no human answers to some of that pain, but God is faithful. This morning I read through Phillippians for the people in church, for many it was the first time in their lives they heared more than a few verses. The flow of hope in pain, purpose in suffering and joy under pressure is easy to miss when out of context. What is meant to bring hope can be turned to guilt and shame, but this morning we saw pure joy shining from a man who did not know if he was going to live or die, who knew physical pain personal betrayal and intense physical need. And yet he knew it was God who was going to bring it to completion for the glory of God.
As I think about the parents in pain this week, I am relieved by the knowledge that it is God who works all things out, not me. I do not carry people's burdens God does. I am not the one who finds answers to people's problems. I am merely the vessel God is the one who does the saving. So I can minister to people with hope and confidence, not in my answers, but in God's.
