TERRE HAUTE —
Being patient does not come naturally for me. I don’t play the piano today because I didn’t have the patience to practice. I don’t like to sit in the doctor’s waiting room; for it seems there are countless other things I could be doing that would be a better use of my time. Nope, in those waiting rooms, I’m not a very patient patient.
I’m not very patient when I pray, either. I pray about a situation or an event or something that’s been bothering me. If God doesn’t answer my request my way in my time, then I snatch it right back from him. I’ll try to fix it myself, which sometimes ends in disaster, or I’ll commence to worry and fret about it, which always ends in disaster. I’m so impatient when I pray that I demand God “fix” my prayer request now! (Kinda presumptuous of me, don’t you think?)
Once, I suffered from severe, debilitating migraine headaches. I couldn’t sit or eat or even stand up without becoming violently ill. Sleep was impossible and relief was unattainable. I would lie in a darkened room and moan and cry from the pain. I felt like white-hot knives were being driven into my head. At one time, the pain was so intense, I was hospitalized and given a powerful drug that should have put me into a coma but barely reduced the pain level.
I remember lying in that hospital bed, praying and begging God to make the pain go away. But it didn’t go away. For months, I was in agony, and for months I prayed for God to remove the pain.
As the months passed, I found I could no longer pray. I had words to ask God to take care of this situation. So, in the dark rooms, I had no choice to listen… listen to God speak to me about suffering.
Remember all of Job’s suffering? Yet Job learned that suffering draws us away from worldly cares and pressures and forces us to focus on God. Just God. Suffering can bring us to God.
Slowly, I emerged from that painful time. I had a new perspective on what was truly important, a new compassion for those also in their own dark places, and a new relationship with God. None of those things would have happened if I had not gone through that dark and painful time. Now, I try to live by the command found in 1 Thessalonians 5:17: “Pray continually.”
My dear readers, if you are in a dark and painful place now, rest assured: God can use your pain for His purpose — to bring you closer to Him. Go to Him, pray to Him, listen to Him. Meditate on His word for encouragement and guidance. Be patient and remember this one thing about God: His answers to your prayers are rarely early and never late. His answers come right on time… on his time, that is. Pray expecting God to answer.
So, all together now, let us pray. The answer is coming. Wait for it… wait for it… wait for it…
Verna Davis, speaker and writer, maybe reached at vrdspeaks@yahoo.com.
Religion
THE JOY LADY: God can use your pain for His purpose — to bring you closer to Him
- Religion
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Cross Lane Church accepting shoe donations
Terre Haute residents are invited to donate their shoes to help millions of peopleworldwide with a shoe drive at Cross Lane Community Church on June 2.
- Church briefs: May 18, 2013
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The Joy Lady: A good morning: everything that rises must converge
Last Monday, I had a good morning.
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Unity Presbyterian plans retirement open house
The congregation of Unity Presbyterian Church will stage a retirement celebration open house to honor the church’s pastor, Linda Jo Peters, from 2 to 4 p.m. on May 19 at 1207 E. Springhill Drive.
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Organist will be the featured guest at church
Organist Benjamin Kolodziej will be the featured guest at an organ recital at 4 p.m. on May 19 at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, 645 Poplar St.
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THE JOY LADY: Call your mom; tell her you love her, that you miss her
In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a resolution proclaiming “the second Sunday in May to be hereafter known as ‘Mother’s Day.’”
- CHURCH BRIEFS: May 11, 2013
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Celebrate the women in your life with The Living Rosary
On Friday, May 10, join the Sisters of Providence of St. Mary-of-the-Woods for The Living Rosary and experience the grace and power many people have discovered by “praying by hand.”
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THE JOY LADY: When awe leaves us, we leave room for doubt
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Good Friday service today at St. George Orthodox
St. George Orthodox Church at 1900 S. Fourth St., Terre Haute, will celebrate its Good Friday service at 7 p.m. today (May 3) and its Easter service at 9 p.m. Saturday. The Agape (Love) service will be conducted at noon on Sunday.
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Organist’s concert May 5
Organist Jonathan Rudy will be in concert performing works from the 1600’s to the present day at 4 p.m. on Sunday at Central Presbyterian Church, 125 N. Seventh St.
The concert is free and open to the public. -
THE JOY LADY: Christ is coming again. Are you ready for that?
An older couple had a grandfather clock that announced each hour with the ringing of chimes.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: April 27, 2013
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THE JOY LADY: Let us pray that our hearts be blessed by God
Growing up, I spent a lot of time with my uncle and his family in Florida.
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THE JOY LADY: You can learn a lot from a box of crayons
Denis Omar is a handsome third-grader in Ocotillo, Honduras. The last time I was in his home, his colored chalk drawings decorated the concrete block walls. His mother said when she got tired of one drawing, she’d wash the wall and have Denis draw another.
- RELIGION BRIEFS: April 13, 2013
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BBQ fundraiser April 13 at Allen Chapel
Historic Allen Chapel’s annual barbecue dinner fundraiser is Saturday, April 13, in the Chapel at Third and Crawford streets. Serving will be from noon to 6 p.m. with a full-line of dinner, sandwiches, sides and desserts available. Chef Stephen Miller, formerly owner of the Black Skillet and now a caterer in Cincinnati, will again prepare the barbecue.
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THE JOY LADY: Most complaints tend to be pretty selfish
Complainers never think they are in the wrong. How could they be when they know everyone else is so wrong?
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Church briefs: April 6, 2013
What's going on this week at area churches.
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THE JOY LADY: Our attendance in worship services encourages other worshippers
There are all kinds of church attendees. Some attend church services once or twice a month, some once or twice a year. Some attend only Sunday morning worship.
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African children’s choir to perform at Mount Pleasant
The Watoto Children’s Choir, traveling from Africa, began its five-month eastern U.S. tour in Oak Bluffs, Mass., on Oct. 6 and are continuing the tour through Terre Haute, Lebanon, Indianapolis, Peru, Bloomington, Columbus, Evansville and Vevay, from April 16 to May 1. All performances are free and open to the public.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: March 30, 2013
- Religion briefs: March 30, 2013
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THE JOY LADY: Is it time to change your habits, attitudes?
I’m usually introduced to people as “the preacher’s wife.” No name, just “the preacher’s wife.” But I’d prefer being known by what I call my “I am” statements. For instance, I am a wife. I am a speaker, I am a writer. I am a mother, I am a mother-in-law, I am a grandmother.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: March 23, 2013
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Public invited to explore Guerin’s connection to nature
The Sisters of Providence invite the public to St. Mary-of-the-Woods on April 6 to explore Saint Mother Theodore Guerin and her connection to nature.
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