Charles Dickens wrote “The pain of parting is nothing compared to the joy of reunion.”
PICTURE: Ron Smith/Unsplash
This is an idea explored in the Bible, where a character like Joseph suffers terribly, sold as a slave and falsely put in jail.
Yet, after decades of suffering, providence rewards him for his faithfulness and moral character. He finds himself second-in-command of all Egypt, with a princess for a wife.
The names he calls his children is interesting. The first he calls ‘Forgotten’ – his current blessings make him forget all his suffering. The second he calls ‘Double Blessing’. His life has been doubly blessed.
There’s something about human nature. The sunrise drowns out the darkness. The joy of a child makes us forget the pain of child birth.
Despite our deepest pain, God’s redemption will heal all hurts. Don’t give up.
Paul Clark’s musings can be heard on radio across Australia and at atthetop.org.au.