It Was Worth It

There are a few books that I try to read every year.  The ones that teach me something.  One Tattered Angel by Blaine M. Yorgason is one of them.  This is one of my top three favorite books of all time, and that is saying something.  Every time I read it, I am filled with a spirit of gratitude and humility.  Without giving too much away, it is the true story about the family of a baby girl with lots of major health problems.  Here’s a quick excerpt from one of my favorite parts.
 
           “And suddenly I knew, if I could have spoken with my tiny daughter- if I could have talked with her for just five minutes about her seemingly unfair pain and suffering- she would have told me [one thing].  ‘It was worth it!’ she would have said.  ‘It was worth every agonizing moment’.”
 
Life is so hard sometimes.  As I reflect on the challenges I have faced in my short life, I have different feelings towards each struggle.  Some I am grateful for.  Others, I am learning to be grateful for.  But I am certain that the day will come when each of us will look back on our lives and say, “It was worth it!”  Even if we don’t feel that way now, I believe we one day will. 

I have spent a lot of time lately pondering on the challenges of those I love.  It seems like I have many dear friends and beloved family members who are facing very real struggles right now.  Sometimes I just feel like throwing my hands up in the air and shouting, “Why does life have to be so hard!”  I look at my sweet family who has suffered so much this past year and think, “Haven’t they suffered enough? How much longer do we have to trudge on until there’s some kind of relief?” 

I don’t know.  I am not sure how long they will have to wait.  I’m not sure how long I will have to wait.  I do know that everything will be all right in the end.  Even if we all have to wait a really long time.  I know it.