Why Does God Allow Suffering?

This is one of those questions that many people ask when they are faced with an illness or loss of a loved one.

After two years of major health problems for my daughter, there are many times that I want to question, why her? She was only 14 when she got her first headache, and that headache has not gone away yet. She has a headache every single day, 24/7, it is an extremely rare condition called New Daily Persistent Headache.

Then she started having stomach problems and we found out she had bladder cancer! After her surgery and recover from that, she still had stomach problems and found out she had PCOS, cysts on her ovaries. And right now, to top everything off, she has mono....

It makes a person wonder why God allows suffering? If you are looking for the answer to that question, you can go to the same place I went when I asked that question about Becca.... an Alpha Course at my church. Pastor Jason and his wife Beth went participated in the course first, then brought it back to our church. It's a wonderful program that helps not only the non believer answer some very difficult questions, but helps the believers answer them as well.

The Alpha Course is offered all over the world. Check to see if there is one in your area! You won't regret it.

The Penny

You always hear the usual stories of pennies on the sidewalk being good luck, gifts from angels, etc. This is the first time I've ever heard this twist on the story. Gives you something to think about.

Several years ago, a friend of mine and her husband were invited to spend the weekend at the husband's employer's home. My friend, Arlene, was nervous about the weekend. The boss was very wealthy, with a fine home on the waterway, and cars costing more than her house.

The first day and evening went well, and Arlene was delighted to have this rare glimpse into how the ver y wealthy live. The husband's employer was quite generous as a host, and took them to the finest restaurants. Arlene knew she would never have the opportunity to indulge in this kind of extravagance again, so was enjoying herself immensely.

As the three of them were about to enter an exclusive restaurant that evening, the boss was walking slightly ahead of Arlene and her husband.

He stopped suddenly, looking down on the pavement for a long, silent moment.

Arlene wondered if she was supposed to pass him. There was nothing on the ground except a single darkened penny that someone had dropped, and a few cigarette butts. Still silent, the man reached down and picked up the penny.

He held it up and smiled, then put it in his pocket as if he had found a great treasure. How absurd! What need did thi s man have for a single penny? Why would he even take the time to stop and pick it up?

Throughout dinner, the entire scene nagged at her. Finally, she could stand it no longer. She casually mentioned that her daughter once had a coin collection, and asked if the penny he had found had been of some value.

A smile crept across the man's face as he reached into his pocket for the penny and held it out for her to see. She had seen many pennies before! What was the point of this?

"Look at it." He said. "Read what it says." She read the words "United States of America"
"No, not that; read further."
"One cent?" "No, keep reading."
"In God we Trust?" "Yes!" "And?"
"And if I trust in God, the name of God is holy, even on a coin. Whenever I find a coin I see that inscription. It is written on every single United States coin, but we never seem to notice it! God drops a message right in front of me telling me to trust Him? Who am I to pass it by? When I see a coin, I pray, I stop to see if my trust IS in God at that moment. I pick the coin up as a response to God; that I do trust in Him. For a short time, at least, I cherish it as if it were gold. I think it is God's way of starting a conversation with me. Lucky for me, God is patient and pennies are plentiful!

When I was out shopping today, I found a penny on the sidewalk. I stopped and picked it up, and realized that I had been worrying and fretting in my mind about things I cannot change. I read the words, "In God We Trust," and had to laugh. Yes, God, I get the message.

It seems that I have been fin ding an inordinate number of pennies in the last few months, but then, pennies are plentiful! And, God is patient.

The best mathematical equation I have ever seen:
1 cross
+ 3 nails
--------
4 given

Ain't

Ain't
-
He was just a little boy,
on a week's first day.
Wandering home from Sunday School,
and dawdling on the way.
-
He scuffed his shoes into the grass;
he even found a caterpillar.
He found a fluffy milkweed pod,
and blew out all the "filler."
-
A bird's nest in a tree overhead,
so wisely placed up so high.
Was just another wonder,
that caught his eager eye.
-
A neighbor watched his zig zag course,
and hailed him from the lawn;
Asked him where he'd been that day
and what was going on.
-
"I've been to Bible School ,"
he said and turned a piece of sod.
He picked up a wiggly worm replying,
"I've learned a lot about God."
-
"M'm very fine way," the neighbor said,
"for a boy to spend his time."
"If you'll tell me where God is,
I'll give you a brand new dime."
-
Quick as a flash the answer came!
Nor was his accent faint.
"I'll give you a dollar, Mister,
if you can tell me where God ain't." :)
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Author Unknown-