A Bitter Sweet Promise

Special Note: This morning's post comes from the University of Notre Dame's website. This reflection was posted on Friday, August 7, 2009. The writer's thoughts spoke very profoundly this morning and I hope you experience the same! Enjoy the gift of another beautiful day the Lord has freely and unconditionally given to you! Kris
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At a busy dental office, one particular patient was always late. Once when the person called to confirm an appointment, he said, “I’ll be about 15 minutes late. That won’t be a problem, will it?” The receptionist replied, “No. We just won’t have time to give you an anesthetic.” The patient arrived early.

Wouldn’t it be great if there was a spiritual anesthetic that protected you from the wounds of the heart? You know something that numbed the hurt, the fear, the disappointment that hammers at you after you’ve tried so darn hard to do the next right thing?

The fact is there’s simply no way to follow our Lord and not feel the splinters. Jesus tells his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me."

Are we willing to follow him NOW – not tomorrow, not next week, not next month. NOW! Ask our Lord, “How do you want me to follow you this day? If I am to suffer for you, give me courage to do the right thing and confidence to trust that your grace will sustain me.”

Should you be on that path where hardship or heartache, loss or loneliness stab at you for being true, hold to this promise – a promise that cannot be broken – “those who lose their life for my sake will find it.” Maybe that’s better than any anesthetic!

Kathleen M. Sullivan - University of Notre Dame, ’82MA ’87PhD