For Those In Pain or Facing a Loss

I hope today's blog finds you hopeful for a wonderful Christ-centered year. I love the beginning of a new year and for the opportunity it gives us as Christians to prayerfully make priority decisions about what is important in our lives and in the lives of the people we love.

Yet as we begin a new year, I can't help but think of those that are suffering in some way. On the very day of the Newtown tragedy, our family attended the funeral of my friend and neighbor's son—he was only twenty-five years old. 

It was my son Alex's nineteenth birthday, and while I was so grateful for my son's life—I could not help but hurt deeply for my friend even though I could not imagine the depths her pain.

You may be suffering or know someone suffering deeply at this time. I want to share a poem with you that was sent to me when my daughter, Mary, was born.

The poem is called "The Thorn." On my original copy that was mailed to me—it says it is anonymous—but I have since read in other places that it is attributed to Martha Snell Nicholson. 

The poem refers to a mendicant in the first line, which means a beggar.  

The Thorn

I stood a mendicant of God 

before His royal throne

And begged Him for one priceless gift

that I could call my own.

I took the gift from out His hand,

but as I would depart

I cried, ‘But Lord! this is a thorn! 

and it has pierced my heart.

This is a strange, a hurtful gift 

which Thou hast given me.’

He said, ‘My child, I give good gifts 

and gave My best to thee.’

I took it home, and though at first 

the cruel thorn hurt sore,

As long years passed I learned at last 

to love it more and more.

I learned He never gives a thorn

without this added grace:

He takes the thorn to pin aside

the veil that hides His face.

Walk by Faith,