Just Because You Were Called, Doesn't Mean It Will Be Easy
There's a story about St. Teresa of Avila that I love. Apparently, she was bucked off her horse into a river on the way to visit one of her monasteries. And she said, "Dear Lord, if this is how you treat your friends, it's no wonder you have so few!"
I like the brutal honesty of that statement: "I think you've called me, and I'm going about your business, and this happens?"
Somehow, despite the record of the Scriptures, we think there's something wrong if the way grows hard.
Despite Paul, five times whipped, once beaten with rods, once stoned, thrice shipwrecked, often in danger.
Despite Christ going to the cross.
When you go through a hard time, it is not necessarily because there is something wrong with you, or because you are going in the wrong way. (If you wonder, remember—ask for wisdom.)
Rather, when you go through a hard time, that is because that is the way of this broken, hurting world.
And that is why we have a Comforter.
Thanks be to God.
More to come.
Love,
Amy Lykosh
John and Sarita's oldest daughter
Second-generation Sonlighter
Homeschooling mom to five
P.S. This is one of my all-time favorite poems. Even now, knowing it as well as I do, it brings me to tears. By Christina Rossetti.
"Up-Hill"
Does the road wind up-hill all the way?
Yes, to the very end.
Will the day's journey take the whole long day?
From morn to night, my friend.
But is there for the night a resting-place?
A roof for when the slow dark hours begin.
May not the darkness hide it from my face?
You cannot miss that inn.
Shall I meet other wayfarers at night?
Those who have gone before.
Then must I knock, or call when just in sight?
They will not keep you standing at that door.
Shall I find comfort, travel-sore and weak?
Of labour you shall find the sum.
Will there be beds for me and all who seek?
Yea, beds for all who come.
