Fri Inspiration

Morning Inspiration with Pastor Merritt

There is something that either is true of almost everyone in this room or one day, if you live long enough, it will be. That is, you are either walking with someone who is suffering or you are walking through suffering yourself. I don’t know of anything in life that is more gut-wrenching or heartbreaking than to watch someone suffering in what seems to be a helpless, hopeless situation.

Of all the low blows that life can give you the two things that probably hit us below the belt the worst is the sudden unexpected death of a child or an infant and the experience of slogging through agonizing suffering, day after day and week after week, with death as the only relief in sight. I must also tell you there is nothing more uplifting, heartwarming, or encouraging than to watch people take the body-blow of suffering head-on and because of their faith and trust in a loving, merciful God still be standing at the end of the day. Laurie Lanter is one of those still standing heroes to me. Almost every week I get an email from Laurie and though frankly, they weren’t at the beginning, they are some of the most joyful, encouraging emails I receive. You see Laurie is in a battle with cancer. It is a battle that she fights constantly, consistently and courageously. She never knows from day-to-day when this disease is going to take another swing at her or take another shot at her. Though with a smile on her face and joy in her heart she is still standing.

Just a few weeks ago this was an email I got from her.

"Dear Pastor,

Through our cancer experience, Mike and I are intensely aware of something…that we are made for God. God is not made for us. We are where we are for something greater than ourselves and although we don’t know what is going to happen next we are Christ -confident. We believe that we are “qualified” for this “assignment” and that it is a privilege to be a good sufferer. Apart from Divine healing, Mike and I will remain at “war” with this disease for the rest of our married lives. We hope people will see Christ in us through each battle."

If you are lying in a hospital bed racked with pain this message is for you. If you are a caregiver to someone where suffering is served at every meal this message is for you. If sorrow and heartache are your companions 24/7 this message is for you.