Driving home from bible study tonight I turned the radio off and cried out to God.  If anyone was peeping in my car window they would have thought I have lost my ever-lovin’ mind.  My eyes were bloodshot, the makeup was fading away, the nose was stuffy, and the head was pounding.  Do you have, what I call, “ugly cries” sometimes?  Well, that’s what I had. An “Ugly Cry”.
Situations happen in our lives and we just want to scream out, “WHY?” Why do good people have to suffer?
In Isaiah 55:8 God says, ““My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.” Yes, God, I know.
One of my all-time favorites is found in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Again, yes, God, I know.
But in knowing The Word, knowing that glory will be in the end of our trials when we follow Him, and knowing that there will be no tears or pain in heaven and we will all have a new and healthy body, my heart still aches.
I have some dear friends going through stresses in life.  All have major health issues. Praise God they are all Christians, know Who to turn to, and their faith is strong. Still, I want to question “Why?”
One of those friends has gone to his earthly home to be with his family and Hospice has been called.  He has two of the most precious and gracious daughters, and his wife is full of grace, strength, and integrity.  When I walked out of my bible study I ran into the mother-in-law and gave her a big hug.  It took everything not to just start boo-hooing all over her tiny and stoic body. While we were chatting one of those precious granddaughters came up to me, with her shiny little tutu on, saying “I love your clothes. You look so beautiful.  I really like that belt.”  Oh my! If she wasn’t just 4 years old, I’d have given her that belt right off my hips. The girl likes her some “bling-bling”.   I’m thinking that my next shopping trip must include a shiny belt for a little girl.  Well, we joked around with one another, hugged, and went our separate ways.  That’s when the “ugly cry” began.
In the midst of all the heartache in that family’s life, they find time to be gracious and giving to others, complimentary, and willing to serve others in need.
They are a poster of strength for me.
Yes, Lord, I know. One day all this heartache will be gone. “He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” Revelation 21:4.
Yes, Lord, I know, that lives have been and will be touched because of the struggles that people endure.
Yes, Lord, I know, that we will go through trials in life, and we will grow stronger because of them.
Yes, Lord, I know this too shall pass.
Until then, when I’m at a loss for words to pray, I’ll remember Romans 8:26, “In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;” Thank you, God, for knowing my thoughts and what to pray for, even though I can’t comprehend Yours.

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