by Victoria Heinecke

In the midst of pain, God is glorified.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

Six months before my wedding, my mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. I asked her if we should move our wedding day up, and she said no – keep the day as planned.

I didn’t realize how serious her condition was, until I visited her doctor two months before the big day. He asked me when I was getting married, and when I told him, he told me she was terminal, and added, “She’s not likely going to make it to your wedding.”

Sobered by a new reality, and unable to change the date on such short notice, we honored Mom’s wishes. Plans continued, with caveats for cancelling everything in the event of Mom’s death.

Meanwhile, Mom fought to stay alive, and the wedding went off as planned. She was even well enough to dance that day.

It’s only recently that I realize the bittersweet juxtaposition of our two marriages: one at the beginning of its adventure, while another was drawing to its close.

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted…”
Ecclesiastes 3:1‭-‬2 ESV

After her death, I found devotional books and her Bible. She had turned to God in her pain, after years of wrestling with him, and he gave her the strength she needed.

God doesn’t give us pain to test our faith. We suffer because we live in a sinful world. It’s in our response to pain where we can show God’s glory to those around us.

“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”
Psalms 90:12 ESV

God gives us our time, and the ability to choose to make the most of each moment. While we will continue to have happy days and sad days – after all, we’re human – it’s in finding the opportunities to live in the moment where God’s love can shine.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church. Colorado Springs, Colorado