"You may for a time have to suffer the distress of many trials but this is so that your faith, which is more precious than the passing splendor of fire tried gold, may by its genuineness lead to praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ appears." 1 Peter 1:6-9
This passage from 1Peter has allowed me to find peace amidst the struggles and sufferings of today. We have so much joy in our family and truly desire to understand the gifts and grace of God. We face the concern of Claire's upcoming surgery, and as we wait we prayerfully beseech God that it happens in a timely manner. She is scheduled to have surgery on February 16th. Claire continues to hope that it will will be moved to an earlier date given her pain and the problems she faces with sores on her back, feet and legs. And, although the surgery will be extensive and painful we continue to hope and pray for healing and recovery. We are thankful for all those who continue to pray for Claire and our family.
Also, this week after the miscarriage I had to undergo a DNC. The experience was truly surreal given that I have had the blessing of delivering 10 children. I love being pregnant. The experience of giving birth to a child is so wonderful. I have felt the excitement and trepidation of preparing for delivery but enduring it all in order to bring home a precious infant. Our experience going into the surgery center to see my OBGYN, who has delivered the last six of my children, contained the same trepidation with no excitement and only loss when a child left me.
I thank God for the grace and understanding we have come to know. This suffering we endure will enable us to more deeply appreciate His gifts and grace. The day of the surgery I read the meditation for the day from the Magnificat. These words were a gift from God and truly beneficial and I want to share them with you.
"Without sorrow one might perhaps be happy, but one would not be aware of it. What would such happiness amount to? It does not suffice to endure suffering in order to acquire experience This demands reflection about oneself and the essential conditions of life. With still greater reason, the utilization of experience is not thus acquired; it requires the tranquilizing of the soul in God; it takes love, without which suffering embitters and confuses the soul instead of enlightening it. Suffering is an extreme remedy which either cures the evil of makes it worse, which strengthens or kills. Both the physicians' prescription and His attendance are necessary. 'Unhappy is he,' says St. Bernard, 'who carries the cross of Jesus but who is not with Jesus....' We console a person by sympathizing with his grief; but especially by showing him its beauty."
(Fr. Sertillanges - 1948) I am thankful to God for showing me the beauty, and His patience with me as I learn. I have much to learn.
Our Lady of Good Counsel, pray for us.
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