Could the Church Pew Hold all the Pain?

We live directly behind our church- all we need do is take a short stroll to reach the doors.  I find myself looking around the church as people enter, wondering if I might see another  "New Face" who is fighting the battle of Body against Pain and without question, I always see someone and it stops me cold!  All I want to do is look away but my heart refuses to do that and I sit there, taking in all the visible signs of Pain, wondering what their Story holds. Today we had a visiting Nigerian Priest who serves as a Chaplain for a very large hospital, located about 45 minutes from us-but my mind was instantly taken away from noticing him because Pain had decided to give me another Lesson today!

 I realized our particular Pew was being filled up fast with familiar faces of Pain!  First person was Me-I need extra "squirming room"- to keep the Burning Butt quiet.  Second person was my husband-here he sat with this Huge Bandage around his Hand, as he gently held it with the other hand-being so protective of that injured Thumb-lets face it, the last thing we want is for that Thumb to take any further abuse.  Third person to join our Pew was the most touching-a friend we have known for many years, filled with deep Faith and in great physical shape as she is in the golden years of life.  A few months ago she took a sudden fall that caused a severe break to the Main Thigh Bone-requiring  major surgery, months of hard physical rehab exercises-as Pain had decided to join her life and turn it upside down!

All I could think to do was make a silent request  "Lord, this is Martha-Good Morning!  There is too much Pain sitting in our Church Pew this morning-please don't bring anyone else!" The answer from God was right in front of me- there was just too much Physical Pain around me and there was no place for me to hide!   I looked at our friend and saw the damage Pain has brought -those familiar tired eyes, a walking cane beside her- serving as a constant reminder of her injury- watching as she struggled with the idea of trying to kneel in prayer and  Truth hitting as if to say "You can't do that anymore" but she bowed her head in prayer and as she finished-a look of sadness was there, and I recognized it-almost as if I were looking in a mirror.

God allowed  me to see these faces of Pain up today-and I knew the choice was mine to either Learn or simply look away!  I chose to sit and take it all in as I knew, there were a lot of New Lessons about Coping with Pain for me to see today.

Who would think a Church Pew could teach us such lessons?  Before I left the service, I offered up a silent
prayer, asking God to help all who are suffering with Pain.   My Joy for today-an easy one-sitting in the Church Pew with my Husband and an old friend.  I will take that piece of Joy anytime.