My mom walked with a limp her whole life! As a young boy I remember how she needed to sit down a great deal. I never understood exactly why she would not go with us on walks or on long shopping trips. I remember my Dad telling the story of how when my mom was about 20 years old she was climbing on a mountainside with a group of people when one of the young men decided to roll some boulders down the mountain slope. He did not see that she was down below. The group all yelled at her to get out of the way, and she did, except for her one leg, which was broken in nine places. This accident and her genetic propensity for arthritis caused her a great deal of pain the rest of her life. I did see her walk normally for a few months after her first knee replacement. She was so excited to show off that she was walking without a limp for the first time in over 40 years.

Mom was forced to sit down all the time because of pain. I remember family ski trips to Colorado for a week at a time, and Mom would be in the chalet doing cross-stitch and making sandwiches. I do not ever remember her complaining.

What I do remember is her servant’s heart for her family. I now look back with regret as I did not ask more how I could help her as she sat down to make the family meal or to do dishes. Please don’t get the wrong impression. I knew very well how to do dishes. I did have plenty of practice. But as I now struggle with some physical issues myself, I look to my Mom as a godly example of what a servant’s heart for her Lord looks like. She took a massive amount of time sitting in her chair investing in God’s Kingdom through reading her Bible and praying for people. She wrote more cards and encouraging notes to people than I can even count! I know that none of her kids or grandkids ever had a birthday without a card from her. Her making the most of her situation and being an encouragement to others was one of the strengths she possessed that will ever live in my memory.

It is one thing to experience an example in one’s life. It is quite another thing to use that example to become a better person and impact the lives of others. My Mom showed Christ to me and to so many people through her life and especially through her suffering. If she ever asked, “why was I injured all those years ago?” I never heard it in the 54 years that I was on earth with her. Her question was more like, “How does God want me to respond in this difficult situation?” As a matter of fact, I fully believe that my Mom was much more sensitive to others who were going through physical challenges because of the suffering she faced. I know that I now am so much more grateful to all that my Mom went through because of current physical ailments in my life.

I don’t know about you, but I know when I read James 1:2-4 I had not thought about physical trials. “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let

steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” It never dawned on me until recently that James could very well be talking about physical trials. I think maybe this is because we are so conditioned in our society that we should not suffer physically. Think of all the medications, devices, and discoveries that have occurred to lessen or eliminate physical suffering. Please hear me, I am in favor of helping those who are suffering physically! I do not hold that physical suffering for suffering sake is something to be proud of. As a matter of fact I am currently seeking physical relief to the conditions which plague me. But I do think that physical suffering is a trial that can produce steadfastness in our lives and help us with understanding and insight into many spiritual realities in life. The perspective that comes only through suffering is difficult to explain unless you have done some paddling in the suffering canoe. It is there that you find patience. It is there that you find mercy. It is through these trials that compassion becomes realized. Trials in this life are where you really understand what your faith is made of and what Christ has done for you. These trials come in many different forms, some of which are physical. Looking for relief is a natural and understandable response to physical suffering. But make sure you don’t miss out on the things God desires to teach you through these agonizing days.

I know that I am well on my way to realization of contentment and hope amidst distress and pain. I also am realizing in a new way what an amazing mother God blessed me with.