Romans 8:18 says, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”  It is a verse that helps me make sense of the suffering in the world.  So often it is difficult to wrap our minds and experiences around these events.  It is also a verse that reminds me to stop wasting time on issues that have little meaning in the scheme of my bigger work.  But there are still those events and moments that stop us in our tracks.  Why would a beautiful, vibrant child have cancer?   How can that person be going through yet another health crisis?  Is the family really dealing with such suffering again?  Why did he have to grow up with out a mother?  And on and on and on.  We all have the moments where our intellectual minds cannot fathom why something is happening.

What me miss is the gift in these moments.  The gift of seeing how wonderful our life is.  I would not trade my life for any other.  Yes, I miss Mom everyday.  Yes, I think daily how much I need her.  Yes, I wish the last year could have been different.  But, I have healthy children.  I have my health.  I spend time with my dad everyday.  In my experience, with Mom I also learned not to wait or waste.  Today may be the last chance for you to connect with those you love.  God forced me to be with my mom on the day she died….yes, he forced me.  I resisted every step of the way.  I cursed the events that made me be with Mom that day.   I now fully understand that all my frustrations of that day was a waste of energy.  I now praise and thank God for putting me with her that day.

Do not waste the moment.  Do not live a life of regret.  Thank God for the trials of this world.  In my experience, the trials are set before us to make the normal moments of life seem like a blessing.  They are also set before us to help us understand what others are going through.  I am so thankful that I have a Savior who knows what it is like to live as a human and be frustrated and tempted and hurt.  When I cry out to Him, He not only hears but He fully understands my need.