I received the all-clear on my neck surgery post-op last Wednesday (2 more to go between now and July). The pain in my neck is gone! Unfortunately, as I have told a couple people recently, my neck is the ONLY place without pain. Simply put, I hurt everywhere, every day.
I found an article recently that listed ten reasons why God allows the elderly to suffer. They were good reasons, things like spiritual growth, divine purpose, encouragement for others, preparation for heaven, preparation for the next stage.
As I read through the article that morning (which I should have saved but did not), I agreed with every one of them. In the middle of the night as I struggled to sleep, I agreed a lot less!
Pain was sporadic when I was younger. Just before I turned 72 I was walking three miles in about an hour, getting 10-14K steps each day. Then it all came to a screeching halt. Two auto-immune diseases became my daily companions and pain became a lifestyle.
I believe God heals; I’ve seen Him do it! But as often as I have prayed for Him to change this, He so far has not. Still, I have found “value” in this stage of my life. I am dependent upon my LORD to do even the basic things. I have slowed down, and I sense His Presence with me more. And I have come to truly appreciate the promise in Revelation 21:4.
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” [NLT]
