Small Graces

In our prayer group some weeks ago one of us prayed for, “a day without pain,” for certain ones of us that struggle with chronic pain issues. God gives us those daily graces seemingly so we can catch our breath. The wife and I noticed today that we felt ‘unburdened’ and a sense of joy that’s been lacking lately. Another friend related Wednesday how God has changed his days in 100% back pain to 50% off and 50% on. God gives little graces that renew perspective.

Small graces give us hunger for more of God. Being in pain or depression distorts your vision of reality. Periods of peace restore clarity of the Heaven we are heading to and the God that is in control.

Our part is to never give up. How easy it would be to give up on God, to simply ‘curse God and die,’ as Jobs’ wife insisted he do. How much more valiant to pursue Him with everything so that when the clarity comes we are already facing the target.

I am reminded of Jonah who had to be thrown overboard and eaten by a large fish before regaining perspective. How much better had he been on track the whole time? Certainly he would have been without a good fish story but how much greater would have been both his joy and his testimony.

“As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.”---James 5:11