Four letter word of the day: Pain

As defined by Webster's Online Dictionary:

a: usu. localized physical suffering associated with bodily disorder (as a disease or an injury); also : a basic bodily sensation induced by a noxious stimulus, received by naked nerve endings, characterized by physical discomfort (as pricking, throbbing, or aching), and typically leading to evasive action
b : acute mental or emotional distress or suffering

Pretty darn accurate, that Webster. Although I really do think that there is more than one way to view pain, and multiple factors that impact the way that pain in perceived and reacted to. Additionally, the use of the word 'suffering' is interesting, I will explain why in a moment.

Physical pain is something that nearly all of us avoid whenever we can. There are those things in lift which do not allow us to avoid pain, such as childbirth (to varying degrees) or illness or injury. Alex has been such an incredible pillar in the face of all the discomfort he is enduring, it's truly amazing. He would say that he complains a lot, to which I would agree, but the fact of the matter is that he walks this road of physical discomfort with great grace the majority of the time, and tolerance the rest. At this time we are not actually sure what is causing Alex's muscle/bone pain, the right upper quadrant pain he is experiencing is due to his liver's malfunctioning. It is hard to suffer this physical pain, and also hard to see the one you love in pain. All in all, pain stinks!

Now onto suffering...forgive me if this is a bit of stream of consciousness writing, I am trying to let it flow and get some of the yuck out of my heart and mind. Suffering is NOT.ALWAYS. BAD. Amazing, but true. Take, for example, the Apostle Paul, who states in Collosians 1:24
"In my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, that is, the Church". Suffering allows us to align ourselves with the Cross of Christ in a way that no other experience does. And, it builds our dependence on God. At times, only when we have absolutely, positively, supercalifragilistically NO WHERE to go but our knees, that is when we actually DO it.

As Christians, we strive constantly throughout our lives to come closer to God and be Christ in the world--and yet we run from suffering, one of the most sure-fire mechanisms to enable both of the processes, as fast as we can. And it is no wonder why. It hurts! When a tree is pruned, the sap pours forth from it to cover the wound. And then, the healthier, new growth can replace that which was plucked away. The tree can grow taller, healthier, and be more fruitful. Doesn't sound bad when it's happening in the life of a tree, does it? If we want our faith to be healthier, more fruitful (and we do, because as it says in Matthew 7:19 "Every tree which does not produce good fruit shall be cut down and cast into the fire"...hmmm, some Biblical passages are so full of symbolism that it's hard to wrap your head around--this one, I would say, is not!).

So, it is the time now to recognize the benefits of suffering in our lives, but not to dwell on that suffering. God is love, a good and faithful Shepard who will not lead us on a path sadness, pain, and yes, suffering, without a major purpose behind it, for us or someone else. This is an amazing gift of our faith.

I will keep up the posts, I hope daily, and look forward to your comments (yep, not a passive activity, this blog reading!). There will be the good, the bad, and the ugly in this blog--our happy's, sad's, and others. It will be an effort to foster the support that we are so desperately in need of, and that others are so willing to give but at times do not now how to give. First and foremost, PRAY. God is listening! His angels and saints are listening! Mary, the beautiful mother of Jesus, is listening! Please lift up your prayers on our behalf, and that will be the greatest gift. And we will pray for you! Let us know your sorrows, your joys, and your needs! This is a journey we are on together, and while we are in one of the rockier spots, we do not want to lose sight of the needs of others. Allow us to uplift you as you lift us up as well! We will also do a great deal of Alex's health updates on here, so stay tuned. Love to you all from the Douglas Fam!