I am a man and cannot imagine childbirth. I am 90 years old, so when my children were born I was barely allowed inside the hospital ... certainly nowhere near the room wherein my wife was participating with God in the creation of a new human life. But I know all about pain associated with one's children. At its apex for us was the loss o…
I am a man and cannot imagine childbirth. I am 90 years old, so when my children were born I was barely allowed inside the hospital ... certainly nowhere near the room wherein my wife was participating with God in the creation of a new human life. But I know all about pain associated with one's children. At its apex for us was the loss of them -- one at 35, one at 40, one at 64. In between, there were other anxieties, other disappointments, other struggles we might easily have done without. In fact, if one chooses to focus on the negative aspects of parenthood it can seem more bother than its worth. But that is true of anything ... and all things. A lesson my time on earth has taught me is this: Nothing acquired without cost has lasting value. Another lesson? The difference between horror and joy is attitude. I thought the worst of my life was the death of my children (and it was) but then I lost my wife. Every day I thank God for the time I had with them, for that is what gave meaning to my very existence. God is good, and we -- all of us -- are truly blessed.
Thanks for commenting, Jam. If my words have moved you to remember anything, let it be this: God gives me the words and blesses me with a facility for their use. He provides me constantly with all that I need and much more. But most of all, remember He loves each and every one of us and He wants you and me and everyone to spend eternity with Him in heaven. I believe He uses all His powers to bring about that end; and while we hardly ever understand the why of anything, that's it! He's working to overcome our shortcomings so we can enjoy the final blessing of all blessings: His salvation.
Thanks for commenting, Mark. All that I am results from God, so if there is wisdom the praise for it belongs to Him. I long for godliness but must admit to sin and shortcoming the same as every other mortal man. My story has some value as an example of life's ups and downs and if it helps others I'm pleased to share it. Each morning I ask God to send his Holy Spirit among my friends and family and to fill their hearts and minds with His loving mercy and His gracious salvation paid for by His Son, Our Savior Jesus Christ. Consider yourself included.
Thank you, Roy, for your prayers before the throne of Grace that now include me. Know that you are from here forward in mine as well. Peace go with you!
Thanks for your comment, Lynda. You're welcome. If my words have inspired you, I hope it is to seek a clearer understanding of your relationship with God. He loves each and every one of us and He wants us all to share eternity with Him in heaven. I believe He uses all His powers to bring about that end; and while we hardly ever understand the why of anything, that's it! He's working to overcome our shortcomings so we can enjoy the final blessing of all blessings: His salvation.
God is good, and we -- all of us -- are truly blessed.
God uses each of us - our hands, our mouths, our abilities - to do his work. This comment was a blessing to me as I start this Sunday. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this article.
Thanks for commenting, girl. You're right about God and I am blessed with a facility with words. It is another blessing to hear these words he gave me were helpful to you. I'm happy to share and happy for you. I know that God blesses you -- as he does me -- constantly.
Thank you for saying this so beautifully! In our eagerness to avoid suffering, we often forget that once we creatures broke the world, Our Creator did not exempt Himself from suffering in order to give ours meaning to a glorious end. “O, happy fault…” as St Ambrose and St Augustine asserted.
Thanks for commenting, Sally. God gives me the words and a facility for using them. To Him be the praise. Mine is a protestant faith and I am not familiar with the words of Saints like Ambrose or Augustine or sadly any of the others. But I do know the words of our Savior Jesus Christ, "Come unto me and I will give you peace."
Thanks for commenting, Madeleine. My story is useful as an example of life's ups and downs. It is another of God's blessings to hear they were helpful to you. Those losses Susan and I shared are useful as examples of life's ups and downs. They, like all disappointments, are offset by the multitude of joys. Praise God and pray for faith and love and mercy.
Thanks for commenting, Brian. Childbirth may be God's ultimate example of cost being a prerequisite of worth. For surely there is nothing in this life more valuable than a child and any woman would testify no greater pain than childbirth. But there are other lessons, too: Our life is a collection of moments; and both the joy and the sorrow that accompany them last for just a little while; and throughout it all God loves us and cares for us and wants us to spend eternity with Him in heaven. In the meantime, He provides all we need -- even faith in Him.
As a mother, I cannot imagine a harder loss than you and your late wife endured in losing your children. I am impressed by the resilience you show through being able to still testify to God's goodness. It would seem that your faith has helped you to deal with your losses, which is both a testimony to God's goodness and an illustration of what people forego when they give up religious faith.
Thank you for commenting, Eliza. The gift of a child! Is there a greater blessing? When we hold them for the first time ... so much joy, consternation caused by a sense of responsibility for another human life, and pride ... certainly some pride. But this is God's child. Yes, Mom, and to a much lesser degree Dad, had something to do with it, but God creates us all and He has a plan for each of us. It is not given to us to understand, but this life comes with joy and sorrow and we have almost no control over any of it. There is faith in The Almighty and personal pride -- they are incompatible. Pray for faith.
Thanks for commenting, Lynne. I am not a beacon, I am just another sinner. God has given me a facility with words and, far greater, the gift of faith. He blesses me constantly with all I need and so much more. As evidence I am no one special, He blesses you, too, just as often -- you and all His children. I don't know about circles, broken or unbroken, but I know the One True God created the heavens and the earth and made Man in His image. And I know He loves us and cares for us and wants us to spend eternity with Him in heaven. Give up pride, seek humility, pray for faith. Oh, give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good.
Thanks for your good wishes, Gordon. God does bless me constantly. Each morning I ask Him to send His Holy Spirit among my friends and family and to fill their hearts and minds with His loving mercy and with His gracious salvation paid for by the innocent life, bitter suffering and death, and glorious salvation of His Son, Our Savior Jesus Christ. Consider yourself included.
Thanks for commenting, Red. One synonym given to wisdom is insight. I suppose that could apply to me. Ninety years of observation might certainly be expected to result in some of that. God has given me a facility with words and enough confidence to make them public. So, humbly, you're welcome. God showers me with blessings constantly. One of those is enough humility to recognize all I have results from his loving generosity. God bless you as well -- including faith and love for others and strength to resist the Evil One.
““Nothing acquired without cost has lasting value.”
God/Mother Nature/the Universe/Physics...whichever you serve, does not allow anything to be acquired without cost. Simply choosing to not see or recognize the cost of any action we take does not actually make it “free” of cost. This willful ignorance is a uniquely human invention.
Thank you for commenting, Eric. I am too weak to serve God, but He has filled me with faith and an understanding that nature, physics, and indeed all the universe and its contents are His creation. With love and caring, He provides me with all I need and more. If their is a mystery about God it would be why He would bother himself with a thing as insignificant as me. "... there is faith, hope and love; but the greatest of these is love." And the most amazing thing is God has given me and continues to fill me with them all.
Thanks for commenting, Shirley. Sadness is not what I hoped to engender; but rather faith and hope and peace in the knowledge that God loves us and wants us -- each and every one of us -- to share eternity with Him in heaven. I pray He sends His Holy Spirit unto you and opens your heart and mind to His loving mercy and to His gracious salvation paid for by the innocent life, bitter suffering, death, and glorious salvation of His Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Thank you for commenting, Sarah. Be a little more positive about life, though. Suffering is certainly a part of our time here but so is joy and all the mundane day-to-day in between. The lesson is how little we can do to affect any of it. Humility is the key ... accepting it all in the knowledge God is love. He cares for and provides for each of us as we require and so much more. Each day I ask Him to strengthen my faith, my love of others, and my struggle against Satan. We are helpless without our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Thank you for commenting, Stephanie. You're right about the words, but God gives those to me. I am no one special, just another sinner blessed with the gifts of faith and humility. In this life there is faith and pride. Pray He gives you the former, because the latter leads to the grave.
I am a man and cannot imagine childbirth. I am 90 years old, so when my children were born I was barely allowed inside the hospital ... certainly nowhere near the room wherein my wife was participating with God in the creation of a new human life. But I know all about pain associated with one's children. At its apex for us was the loss of them -- one at 35, one at 40, one at 64. In between, there were other anxieties, other disappointments, other struggles we might easily have done without. In fact, if one chooses to focus on the negative aspects of parenthood it can seem more bother than its worth. But that is true of anything ... and all things. A lesson my time on earth has taught me is this: Nothing acquired without cost has lasting value. Another lesson? The difference between horror and joy is attitude. I thought the worst of my life was the death of my children (and it was) but then I lost my wife. Every day I thank God for the time I had with them, for that is what gave meaning to my very existence. God is good, and we -- all of us -- are truly blessed.
Amen
Thanks for that affirmation, HV. Yes, God is good; and we -- all of us -- are truly blessed.
I am very moved by this comment. Thank you for writing it. I will remember these lessons.
Thanks for commenting, Jam. If my words have moved you to remember anything, let it be this: God gives me the words and blesses me with a facility for their use. He provides me constantly with all that I need and much more. But most of all, remember He loves each and every one of us and He wants you and me and everyone to spend eternity with Him in heaven. I believe He uses all His powers to bring about that end; and while we hardly ever understand the why of anything, that's it! He's working to overcome our shortcomings so we can enjoy the final blessing of all blessings: His salvation.
Godly wisdom from a truly Godly man, Thank you for sharing your story with us!
Thanks for commenting, Mark. All that I am results from God, so if there is wisdom the praise for it belongs to Him. I long for godliness but must admit to sin and shortcoming the same as every other mortal man. My story has some value as an example of life's ups and downs and if it helps others I'm pleased to share it. Each morning I ask God to send his Holy Spirit among my friends and family and to fill their hearts and minds with His loving mercy and His gracious salvation paid for by His Son, Our Savior Jesus Christ. Consider yourself included.
Thank you, Roy, for your prayers before the throne of Grace that now include me. Know that you are from here forward in mine as well. Peace go with you!
Amen. Thank you for writing and sharing your inspiring words.
Thanks for your comment, Lynda. You're welcome. If my words have inspired you, I hope it is to seek a clearer understanding of your relationship with God. He loves each and every one of us and He wants us all to share eternity with Him in heaven. I believe He uses all His powers to bring about that end; and while we hardly ever understand the why of anything, that's it! He's working to overcome our shortcomings so we can enjoy the final blessing of all blessings: His salvation.
God is good, and we -- all of us -- are truly blessed.
God uses each of us - our hands, our mouths, our abilities - to do his work. This comment was a blessing to me as I start this Sunday. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this article.
Thanks for commenting, girl. You're right about God and I am blessed with a facility with words. It is another blessing to hear these words he gave me were helpful to you. I'm happy to share and happy for you. I know that God blesses you -- as he does me -- constantly.
Thank you for saying this so beautifully! In our eagerness to avoid suffering, we often forget that once we creatures broke the world, Our Creator did not exempt Himself from suffering in order to give ours meaning to a glorious end. “O, happy fault…” as St Ambrose and St Augustine asserted.
Thanks for commenting, Sally. God gives me the words and a facility for using them. To Him be the praise. Mine is a protestant faith and I am not familiar with the words of Saints like Ambrose or Augustine or sadly any of the others. But I do know the words of our Savior Jesus Christ, "Come unto me and I will give you peace."
Roy, your story truly touched me. Thank you for posting and I'm so sorry for your losses.
Thanks for commenting, Madeleine. My story is useful as an example of life's ups and downs. It is another of God's blessings to hear they were helpful to you. Those losses Susan and I shared are useful as examples of life's ups and downs. They, like all disappointments, are offset by the multitude of joys. Praise God and pray for faith and love and mercy.
"participating with God in the creation of a new human life"
Roy, I absolutely love this way of thinking about it. It's completely true, and yet we rarely talk about it this way. Thanks.
Thanks for commenting, Brian. Childbirth may be God's ultimate example of cost being a prerequisite of worth. For surely there is nothing in this life more valuable than a child and any woman would testify no greater pain than childbirth. But there are other lessons, too: Our life is a collection of moments; and both the joy and the sorrow that accompany them last for just a little while; and throughout it all God loves us and cares for us and wants us to spend eternity with Him in heaven. In the meantime, He provides all we need -- even faith in Him.
As a mother, I cannot imagine a harder loss than you and your late wife endured in losing your children. I am impressed by the resilience you show through being able to still testify to God's goodness. It would seem that your faith has helped you to deal with your losses, which is both a testimony to God's goodness and an illustration of what people forego when they give up religious faith.
Thank you for commenting, Eliza. The gift of a child! Is there a greater blessing? When we hold them for the first time ... so much joy, consternation caused by a sense of responsibility for another human life, and pride ... certainly some pride. But this is God's child. Yes, Mom, and to a much lesser degree Dad, had something to do with it, but God creates us all and He has a plan for each of us. It is not given to us to understand, but this life comes with joy and sorrow and we have almost no control over any of it. There is faith in The Almighty and personal pride -- they are incompatible. Pray for faith.
Roy you are a beacon of light in a dimming world. God bless and keep you. I believe in the unbroken circle so I believe you will see your wife again.
Thanks for commenting, Lynne. I am not a beacon, I am just another sinner. God has given me a facility with words and, far greater, the gift of faith. He blesses me constantly with all I need and so much more. As evidence I am no one special, He blesses you, too, just as often -- you and all His children. I don't know about circles, broken or unbroken, but I know the One True God created the heavens and the earth and made Man in His image. And I know He loves us and cares for us and wants us to spend eternity with Him in heaven. Give up pride, seek humility, pray for faith. Oh, give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good.
I really do pray every night for humility and for help in my struggle with pride, among other things.
God bless you Roy
Thanks for your good wishes, Gordon. God does bless me constantly. Each morning I ask Him to send His Holy Spirit among my friends and family and to fill their hearts and minds with His loving mercy and with His gracious salvation paid for by the innocent life, bitter suffering and death, and glorious salvation of His Son, Our Savior Jesus Christ. Consider yourself included.
Thank you for sharing, your experience and wisdom. I am better for having read it. God Bless ❤️
Thanks for commenting, Red. One synonym given to wisdom is insight. I suppose that could apply to me. Ninety years of observation might certainly be expected to result in some of that. God has given me a facility with words and enough confidence to make them public. So, humbly, you're welcome. God showers me with blessings constantly. One of those is enough humility to recognize all I have results from his loving generosity. God bless you as well -- including faith and love for others and strength to resist the Evil One.
““Nothing acquired without cost has lasting value.”
God/Mother Nature/the Universe/Physics...whichever you serve, does not allow anything to be acquired without cost. Simply choosing to not see or recognize the cost of any action we take does not actually make it “free” of cost. This willful ignorance is a uniquely human invention.
Thank you for commenting, Eric. I am too weak to serve God, but He has filled me with faith and an understanding that nature, physics, and indeed all the universe and its contents are His creation. With love and caring, He provides me with all I need and more. If their is a mystery about God it would be why He would bother himself with a thing as insignificant as me. "... there is faith, hope and love; but the greatest of these is love." And the most amazing thing is God has given me and continues to fill me with them all.
This is so sad. I’m so so sorry for your losses. Thank you for posting this and the lessons of your life.
Thanks for commenting, Shirley. Sadness is not what I hoped to engender; but rather faith and hope and peace in the knowledge that God loves us and wants us -- each and every one of us -- to share eternity with Him in heaven. I pray He sends His Holy Spirit unto you and opens your heart and mind to His loving mercy and to His gracious salvation paid for by the innocent life, bitter suffering, death, and glorious salvation of His Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Thank you for sharing this - I am blessed for the opportunity to read it. Suffering gives life its meaning.
Thank you for commenting, Sarah. Be a little more positive about life, though. Suffering is certainly a part of our time here but so is joy and all the mundane day-to-day in between. The lesson is how little we can do to affect any of it. Humility is the key ... accepting it all in the knowledge God is love. He cares for and provides for each of us as we require and so much more. Each day I ask Him to strengthen my faith, my love of others, and my struggle against Satan. We are helpless without our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
“Nothing acquired without cost has lasting value.” Truer words were never spoken.
Thank you for commenting, Stephanie. You're right about the words, but God gives those to me. I am no one special, just another sinner blessed with the gifts of faith and humility. In this life there is faith and pride. Pray He gives you the former, because the latter leads to the grave.
Yes sir. I will see you in glory someday.