All the sufferings of the believer are not hell—but they are all the hell he shall suffer.” —John Mason, puritan
It may seem awkward to read what I am about to write, but hear me out. I have been very fortunate to live my life around some very strong and courageous Christians who suffered many years. I would rather have seen them in a better situation, but what I want doesn’t matter and wouldn’t help them.
I had two grandmothers who suffered illnesses. One died when I was very young, she was the mother to my dad, and my memories of her are limited. I do know she was a faithful believer and suffered many years. I can still see her face when I look at my dad. She was a very poor woman in the worlds eyes, but she knew where her true riches were stored. She was the wife of a pastor and raised four children. They were taught the word and loved her very dearly. Life for her was hard and then her illness later in life would have seemed to make it harder, but it didnt. I always remember a smiling and happy Mamaw Ollie. I just wish I got more time with her because I’m sure she had a world of wisdom to share and so much love to give.
My other grandmother, the mother to my my mother, died just a few years ago and I remember her well. She was a poor woman in the worlds standards and had a hard life as well. She was sick for a large part of my life. She was the mother to seven children and I will say she raised them all by herself. I have so many memories of her, singing hymns while sewing someone’s pants, her watching everyone in the neighborhood from the porch or window, some sort of food always on the stove, making the grandchildren pick up sticks in her yard. I was always able to jome with her i. Ways no noe else was allowed to do. She was a strong woman and a faithful believer. She was so sick for many years, so many hospital stays, so many medications. With all that was wrong with her, she remained so happy and so thankful for everything. Even the smallest thing done for her would lead to her making you feel like you just gave her the moon and stars.
Following in my Mamaw Ollie’s steps is my dad. He is by far the toughest man I have ever met. He has always been my hero and someone I wanted to be like. He has some illnesses in his life that brought him to a stop. From heart failure and open heart surgery to COPD, and other things thrown in here and there. He is sick but has always remained a faithful believer in Jesus. I have memories of him before his sickness and memories after he became sick but I have no memories of him complaining. If you ask him on his worst day how he is feeling he will say “pretty good” every time.
My mother has the strength of my mamaw. She has some illnesses that you would never know about unless a family member told you. She never says anything about her sufferings. I’m sure many people she worked with for years never knew her issues because she would rather keep them to herself than to worry someone else with them. As a matter of fact, there are things she deals with now that probably no one knows about. She pops and cracks, her bones have become brittle, but her faith is something the world couldnt hold. She is a faithful believer in Christ.
While growing up around these people I never really noticed the sufferings they dealt with. They just seemed happy and full of life. Now that I’m older I see something very important from their lives. With all the suffering they went through, and all the hardships, they only grew closer to God and became more and more thankful for the blessings they receive. Their faith increased daily and love for God became more and more evident.
I have seen so many suffer for a time and some suffer for the majority of my life. They could have rolled over and gave up but they had the Word written on their hearts. They knew where their hope rested and they knew that if Christ suffered then they must as well. The faith of these four people is a tremendous lesson to me and should be for our entire family or anyone that knew them.
It’s a great joy to say that my two mamaws are with God. The moment they closed their eyes on this earth, they were shown the glory that they hoped for and the God of their faith. One day I may suffer like them, and I hope I don’t dwell over it. I hope my faith only increases and if the worldly happiness fades away I pray that I never let my happiness in Christ linger in the background. I hope I can be like the strong and faithful family members and one day the legacy I see as theirs will be known as mine also.
Dear God give me strength when suffering comes my way. Let your promises be a constant thought in my mind so that my faith will not waver. Let me always Rejoice in all situations, not just in times of health and happiness. When my path becomes difficult and my body is weak, let me not look away from you, let me not lay pity in my lap, and let me always remember what Christ did for me. Amen
No King but Christ 