Those Who Suffer Have Something To Say

What do you do when you are suffering through one of life's trials? I pray. When things are going great I do not pray as much, even though I should. God wants us to talk to Him in good times and in bad times. But, it seems that I go to God more in bad times than in good.

I think that most people talk with God more when they suffering. So, when we are suffering we are closer to God. I guess suffering can be good for us because we are talking to God more as a result.

I have sat and listened to people tell of their suffering and how they would like the suffering to go away. As I am listening to them, I am thinking that they are probably closer to God at this moment. So, I really listen to them to try to feel what they are going through.

While sitting in Sunday school one day, I mentioned that I felt that those who are suffering are closer to God. I was asked how that could be, and I responded that many people who are suffering are constantly going to God in prayer to ease or get rid of the suffering. And, when we go to God in prayer and have a conversation with him, we are closer to him.

In suffering, sometimes we feel lost and alone. When we really think about it, we are not alone because God is always with us and he knows everything about us. Psalm 139, Luke 12:7, and Matthew 10:30-31 all talk about how God knows everything about us and He understands everything about us. If we know this, then we are comforted in our times of suffering.

One of my best friends went through tremendous suffering from cancer that had ravaged her body. I am sure that she spent almost every waking hour talking to God because she knew that God above all others knew everything about her, her feelings, her thoughts, her pain. She called me up during one of her last days and asked me to bring her a 'turkey call'. That morning she had looked outside and saw a flock of turkeys. They had since left and she wanted them back. She knew that we might have some 'turkey calls' at school that we had received in some kits about wildlife when she was there as our principal. She was right. We quickly found a 'turkey call' for her and had it delivered so she could blow that call and get those turkeys back.

As a principal and a teacher I experienced talking with students and parents who were suffering and felt all alone. I wanted so much to talk to them about God's word and guide them to those verses that show that our God knows everything about each of us. It would have helped them through their suffering to know that God would be with them every second of every day and that he even knows how many hairs are on their head. But,sadly, because of the separation of church and state, I felt that I had to keep Faith out of the discussion. I broke the rules on a few occasions, though, and I could not believe the peace and love that filled the room when I did.

Yes, those who suffer have something to say.

Here is a poem I wrote about the flock of turkeys that visited my friend during one of her last days:

God Sent A Flock Of Turkeys

God sent a flock of turkeys yesterday.
His sense of humor had something to say.
You see sometimes we really, really complain,
About work and people and even the rain.
God sent a flock of turkeys yesterday,
To open my ears and hear Karen say,
That what is important to you and to me,
Is right there in front of us for all to see.
So quit your bellyakin’ about everything.
Everything that happens should make us shout and sing.
For those that suffer have something to say.
God sent a flock of turkeys yesterday.
So when we all think we have too much to do,

Remember that time is God’s gift to you.
Use it wisely, for time will not stand.
Remember that everything is in God’s plan.
Yes, God sent a flock of turkeys yesterday.
His sense of humor had something to say.
So be aware of when he’s talking to you,
And let’s all help each other get through this life, too.