Christian Living

---

Larry Lilly's Letter Thursday April 15, 2010

Most people have enough sense to know that struggle during our span on this globe is the norm. All life forms face catastrophic upheaval in normal routine and it is a mark of achievement when life, in whatever form it takes, keeps on trucking.

Do we humans and other forms of life get weary? I know humans, especially this one, get so weary I could scream and often do. A good old fashioned primal scream is better for you than most super pious will admit. And many of my dear religious friends couch this old remedy in the guise of near screaming "prayer" even while saying grace over the food at a restaurant. To be honest I prefer the Old Jewish manner of grace in that the prayer is said after eating. I suppose the Old Jews learned this after attempting to eat some of the "Worlds Very Best Meatloaf" at church/synagogue functions.

As I was fuming over some current knife in the back problems, a line from Louisa May Alcott caught my attention:

"I'm not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship."

Imagine that. A woman understanding that life's storms are really training exercises. I wonder if this wisdom is taught in the Bible? Those in the know understand Louisa failed to learn certain important life truths, but her statement here is right on.

When we are going through it, a truth held firmly in our mind will keep us sailing on and that idea, that truth is simple, God is for us, and this time, this mess, this whatever, is another opportunity to become more adept at successfully sailing through storms. Going below deck and sucking our thumb will not accomplish much.

Trouble, suffering, storms are the part of life that makes the smooth seas all the more enjoyable. I have used a saying for years and just recently discovered it is attributed to the Church Father, Augustine:

"God had one son on earth without sin, but never one without suffering."

As you face your storm today, keep in mind that Christ charted the course and you must stay on course, trust Him and sail on as instructed in 1 Corinthians 15:58:

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2010 Use with credit

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE