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She asked, with hesitation, as if unsure of the appropriateness. Maybe she was wondering, 'Can I even ask such a question?' ...
"Why... do you think... why, would God allow you to have this long term illness? Is there something... anything... is there a 'reason'? What has He shown you?"
What a question! What a beautiful, honest, appropriate question.
We ask it all the time, don't we? Deep in our hearts, we wonder. We hesitate to ask. Why, Lord? We want to understand. We want reason behind pain and suffering. I have asked this question about many things through the years. Sometimes, I get 'the answer' (or an answer) and sometimes I don't. A hard question. No easy-come answers, to be sure.
But, when this young gal asked (who has her own long-term illness with which she must wrestle), ... when she asked... I had an answer. I knew the answer.
It surprised me.
It came so quickly to my mind and so clearly to my heart... that I just knew. I knew ---at least---one of the reasons He has allowed me to suffer with pain, weakness, and illness (in varying degrees) my whole life.
It is my kryptonite. That was the thought. A funny thought, right!?
I am ...as I truly believe we ALL are... a gifted, competent, strong person. I am super-girl. This illness has given me a gift--a huge gift.
My answer to her was simple: It is my kryptonite. It reminds me most days that I need God. I desperately, desperately need Him. I have weakness and that is okay... I have a strong God!
I believe that if I hadn't been allowed this suffering, I would have easily done life on my own. Entirely.
My pain and illness have been a key... a pathway and a light along the path; always leading me to my desperation for God. Through the years of suffering, if I have 'learned' anything it would be my need of God: as my Father, my Deliverer, my Provider, my Calm, my Shepherd, my Strength, and my Shield. I, laughingly, admit that I can't even sleep without Him. It's true. I can't!
I have learned--- and continue to learn every day--- that His grace is truly sufficient. (2 Corinthians 12:8-9)
After sharing this with my young friend, she said a profound thing, "Wow. That is almost the exact thought that has been growing in my heart these past weeks." God has been answering her hard, awkward question, too.
Yes! I am so glad you asked, sweet girl.