The Ache Around Us

Somber scene of a dead tree against a dark sky, but with a bit of light breaking through the clouds.

About a month ago, I began to ask God what I was to write about. When I first felt the nudge toward writing about suffering, I wasn’t thrilled. I remember thinking, "Really, God? Suffering? Ugh." It didn’t sound uplifting or fun—because, well, suffering isn’t! Surely, I was supposed to write about the glorious season of fall that is just around the corner—the vibrant colors, and the beauty of change unfolding before our eyes. But, no...it was suffering. Heavy. Somber. Painful.  And, I was seeing it all around me.  

That very day, I found out a dear friend of mine was in the hospital, suffering. That evening, news came that my uncle had passed away, leaving behind my aunt and cousins to walk through their grief. The following week, we experienced another loss in the family. Then, one man in America took the life of another, pouring fuel onto the already burning fire of hateful words and division, showing just how deeply our nation is suffering. That same day, there was a school shooting that barely made headlines.  Our latest tragedy, hitting close to home, was today when my son came home to tell me one of their coaches had been in a head-on collision over the weekend. His young wife did not survive. He and his daughter are recovering, but how will this young coach move forward without his wife?  How will the children carry on without their mother?

We can’t ignore the reality all around us. God’s people are hurting. This world is filled with brokenness. And yet, He is present in it.

At the close of his gospel, Matthew records these words of Jesus: "I am with you always, to the end of the age."

So, I pray for all those who are sitting in raw places of pain. May you sense His presence. May you feel His nearness. And, may you know that even in suffering, you are not alone.