Suffering and Glory

For our family, getting to church on Sundays feels like a an accomplished miracle!  It's like there is an enemy force that endeavors to pull out all the stops to keep us from getting there!  Hmmmm... Sometimes we wonder what the point of going to church is when the whole way there, we are screaming and hollering at the kids to get their act together. :{}

But then, we get there and the multi sensory event begins!  Before we even reach the doors of the church, we can smell the incense...such a comforting scent.  Then, as we are warmly greeted by fellow members of our church, we immediately feel welcome and start to think maybe the mayhem of the morning was worth it.  We walk into the narthex of the church with the smooth, slim candles in our hands.  We light these candles to represent our prayers.  It's a beautiful thing to witness the many candles lit - each one representing a prayer or prayers of a person.  Maybe a deep need or a simple prayer of thanksgiving.  We then walk over and lovingly venerate the icons.  It has taken many years for me to arrive at the place I am today when it comes to veneration of icons.  Coming from an evangelical background, it was difficult to understand and more difficult to incorporate into my worship.  However, I reverently and gratefully pay my respects and offer my attitude of love as I stand before the images of the Holy.  During all of this, our ears are filled with the beautiful chanting and utterances of the Liturgy.  I have come to learn that there is nothing that is said or done in the Orthodox faith that is without purpose.  That is why it is amazing to take in all the meaningful and purposeful events of the service.  So, our eyes behold the glory of the church and it's Saints, our noses smell the sweetness of the incense, our hands participate in veneration of the icons and lighting of the candles.  Not to mention, sharing love with our fellow brothers and sisters as we shake hands and hug one another.  Our ears are filled with the holy chanting and words of the liturgy.  The most glorious and comforting part of the service involves our sense of taste.  Communion, the Holy Eucharist!  The whole reason the Liturgy is performed is for the Holy Eucharist.  It is the culmination of all the preparation of heart, mind, spirit, and body.  As we receive the Gift freely offered to us, it is a powerful reminder of God's unconditional love for each one of us.

Last Sunday, we arrived at church with heavy hearts...desperately seeking the comfort of God and some wisdom from His Word.  As it turns out, God provided us with exactly what we needed to hear.  I don't know why we are surprised every time this happens!  Of course God is going to meet us where we are and give us what we need to accomplish His Will for our lives.  Imagine that! :)

The priest shared an inspirational message about suffering.  We were reminded through God's Word that along with suffering comes glory.  Glory is the partner to suffering!  If we can just endure the suffering and keep our witness  for Christ, glory will come. 

"...weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning!"  -Psalm 30:5

This reminds me of one of my favorite songs we'd sing at Oral Roberts University.  "He'll turn our mourning into dancing again, He's lifted our sorrows!  I can't stay silent - I must sing for His joy has come!!!"

Another favorite verse of mine in the Bible reminds me of the importance of suffering:



"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;"  - Romans 5:3

You will not likely see me "rejoicing" all the time through my suffering.  God forgive me.  That is something I will be working on for a long time.  However, my heart does rejoice that I have a God that will love me, lead me, guide me, and protect me as I walk through the more difficult parts of my journey.

So, we pulled ourselves together and made it to church last Sunday.  The boys behaved beautifully and participated in the Liturgy as much as they we able to.  I witnessed their innocence as they offered their precious prayers for the concerns in their life.  We were able to "reset" as a family as we headed into a new week.  But God didn't stop there.  We had the pleasure of having a beautiful sister in Christ sit with us during the service.  As we prepared to leave the church, she offered the most encouraging words for me.  She took the time to glimpse into my soul and saw that I was hurting.  Her love and words touched me to the point of tears...then she offered me her shoulder to cry on.  It was a beautiful moment and I felt so much gratitude.  God sent this precious person to me for the exact moment He knew I would need that particular encouragement.  Thank you, Julie!

As we approach another Sunday, we will prepare to the best of our abilities to arrive at church with love in our hearts and frustration/strife taking a back seat - way back...I realize that it would be unreasonable to expect them to not rear their ugly heads at all!  I am grateful we GET to go to church as a family to serve a loving God who cares for our smallest needs or desires.  So, in the end, the mayhem and tears are TOTALLY worth it!  Kyrie eleison!!!!