Today my daughter announces that she hates being so short. "Everyone else my age is taller than I am!"
I want to deny it. I want to comfort her. I want to tell her to get over it.
But she is rather short. So instead of denying the truth of her statement, I remind her that God has a reason for everything.
"Can you think of any reason why a loving God would let you be shorter than everyone else right now?" I ask her, staring deeply into those little girl eyes that will undoubtedly face a lifetime of the kinds of disappointments and heartbreak that come with the human experience. She will ask so many why? questions as the years unfold.
She tilts her head to one side and ponders the thought. "Well, I can get into places that most people can't."
This means she wins hide-n-seek. This means she has an advantage in finding hiding places that suddenly makes her stature valuable. What a change of heart!
All day, this statement resonates in my heart: "I can get into places that most people can't." I talk to God about this, and I imagine this conversation:
Yes. You can go where others cannot. That's what this confusion, this disappointment, this heartache is for. Your experience gives you access. It's a portal into a place others cannot--or will not--go.
I find myself welling up. God speaks to my own heart through my daughter's answer. Suffering allows you to "get into places that most people can't." I think about ministry opportunities, writing projects, insights, amazing friendships, communities, and blessing after blessing because I went into beautiful spiritual and physical places I could only enter through the door of suffering.
Living with flair means knowing that you can go where others cannot because of the things you've suffered.
_____________________
Journal: Where has your suffering allowed you to go?
Resonates huge with me this morning, Heather. Reminds me of two things: the passage in Scripture that commands us to "comfort others with the comfort with which we have been comforted" and Joni Tada, who said that she has even embraced her breast cancer because of how it has expanded her opportunities for ministry.
ReplyDeleteLove how you handled your daughter. What a wise mother you are.
Excellent thoughts, thanks for sharing this experience.
ReplyDeleteTired but happy sigh today. I'm so enjoying this blog -- this was a great post.
ReplyDeleteI am blessed to be called by God to help women in general, especially those who are victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse. My suffering has allowed me to travel into places where many have not been. My suffering has blessed me so that I could be blessing to others, in my writing and in my ministry. I praise God for allowing me to go into places where others have not been...
ReplyDeleteI've been following your posts for a while now - and just want to say a heartfelt thank you!! You make me think - and I like that.
ReplyDeleteYou've helped your little girl face life in a way that will postively impact her and all those she meets. What a blessing and gift!