Shingles and God's Grace

        In my last job, I met a lady who was in her senior years and she had a wood carving on the top of her television that said, “Old age ain't for sissies.” Normal life makes that a reality just trying to deal with the everyday issues of life. I developed a rash on my forehead and for the first day thought it was due to eating too many strawberries. Then, at the end of the second day, I knew what it was. I have a case of the “singles.” At least I made my doctor laugh a little when I replied, “I'm not even a roofer.” You might as well have some type of sense of humor during the pain. Second Corinthians 12:9-10 says, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 

        God's grace is certainly a blessing even in times like the shingles. While I am hurting and extremely uncomfortable, I still have more blessings than problems. I am no where near the man called Job endured. He had it far worse than I have. He lost everything and still praised God plus he really got a lot of information at the end with his conversation with God. I have something even a bit better than did the Apostle Paul. What I have will last only for a short time whereas Paul's “thorn in the flesh” wasn't going to go away. Even though my temporary suffering should be short, I still look upon God's grace for it is His grace that has given me so much in this life. I am sitting in a controlled environment able to write to you all on a computer with a cup of coffee and everything I need right around me. I am blessed to be in what I consider to be the greatest country in the world. I have family that I know where they are at, what is going on in their lives and their relationship with God. I also am quite comforted in knowing that God is still using me for His work in this place. So, these are but a handful of reasons that I rejoice in God's grace today. Even though I am a “chicken” when it comes to pain I can still rejoice in God's wonderful grace. Old age isn't for sissies for sure but we can all make it when we realize that God's grace is always there and that He has given all the grace we need to get through every problem. Yes, I do believe in God's Word and what He said to the Apostle Paul still applies to us in our “times” of need. You might be dealing with issues in your life this morning and throughout the day and you may also need to realize the presence of God's grace in your lives. Praise God today and rejoice in His grace and a whole lot more.