May we learn to see the problem of suffering through new eyes...

I have so enjoyed Bible class this year. We are going through the book, "How Now Shall We Live" by Colson. It can sometimes be a little on the boring side, but has some great insight. We have discussed life issues and having a biblical worldview. Right now, we are discussing the question, "WHY DO BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE?" Such a tough question. I have been researching a reading different books lately to help me understand and deal with this question as we start studying it. I am reading the book, "If God is Good" right now. It is so good ( a must read!). This story has really made me think. I can not get it out of my head. I am going to share it with you.

Someone told me the story of a teenager who didn’t want to be seen in public with her mother, because her mother’s arms were terribly disfigured. One day when her mother took her shopping and reached out her hand, a clerk looked horrified. Later, crying the girl told her mother how embarrassed she was. Understandably hurt, the mother waited an hour before going to her daughter’s room to tell her, for the first time, what had happened. “When you were a baby, I woke up to a burning house. Your room was an inferno. Flames were everywhere. I could have gotten out the front door, but decided I’d rather die with you than leave you to die alone. I ran through the fire and wrapped my arms around you. Then I went back through the flames, my arms on fire. When I got outside on the lawn, the pain was agonizing, but when I looked at you, all I could do was rejoice that the flames hadn’t touched you.” Stunned, the girl looked at her mother through new eyes. Weeping in shame and gratitude, she kissed her mother’s marred hands and arms.  

I love that story. I have learned through reading this book that God is in charge and He is good.