Ah! If only we could control our illness and pain! At least then we might be able to pick and choose the times and days when these awful challenges could stay in the background, corralled, quieted.

But, unfortunately, much like Hans Brinker who tried to stop leaks in the dike by plugging them with his own fingers, even if we are able to bring about some relief, eventually, often, we simple run out of fingers.

It’s been like that with me – three significant and serious events in less than a month. A new and painful diagnosis. A car accident. The death of my father.

I think I “ran out of fingers” ’round about the end of May!

Yet, for all that these things were emotionally and physically draining, and for all that I am still sorting through the many feelings and activities that go along wtih them, I don’t feel as if life has fallen apart or is hurtling out of my control. Why not?

Well, first of all, I might feel deep sorrow, acute pain, utter frustration, but I believe that God is in control. Not that He is “punishing” me or anyone else upon whom sadness has befallen. Rather, as these and other crises happen, God is with and all around me, covering me and the situations and others in them with His love and protection.

Secondly, I understand that as long as I, or anyone else, lives on this earth, there will be problems. We’re human. We’ll rejoice sometimes and suffer pain othertimes.

Third, to the extent that I can do things to forward health, or take care of the responsibilities that come along with problems that arise, I do. But, if there are other things out of my control, well, I’ll lift them up to God and leave them with Him.

Fourth, (and we so often forget this), in the midst of the storm, surrounded by things we cannot control, we so often forget to take care. Yet, it is extremely important that we do. (My Beliefnet Gallery, posted elsewhere, has suggestions for this: “Five Thoughts to Help You Recover from a Really Rough Time.”)

Believe. Understand. Do. Take care.

This we can control. The rest is up to God.

Blessings for the day,

Maureen