The gift of suffering?  Seems like an oxymoron – two contradictory terms used together.  I think it’s fair to say that most of us would rather avoid suffering.  And if someone were to offer us suffering as a gift, we might question whether that person understands what a gift really is. 

Several months ago, as I was returning to work one afternoon, I noticed there were no cars at the drive-thru of a local coffee shop – where there is always a line. So I decided to swing by and take advantage of this rarity, plus I had a gift card, so even more reason to do so.   It had already been a particularly difficult day, and I was emotionally depleted, so this unexpected treat was quite welcomed.  If there was anytime I could use a little pick-me-up, it was certainly now.

There are times in life when you find yourself in the middle of a desert place. Perhaps you got there because you lost your way.  Perhaps you made a series of wrong turns.  Or perhaps you made just one wrong turn.

“I can’t take it anymore!  God, please take this!” These were the words I silently prayed a few months ago as I stood at the kitchen sink while chaos was unfolding around me, which was part of a series of interrelated and increasingly difficult circumstances that I had encountered over the past several years.