A Poem, and happenings in my life....

I thought today I would post on how things have been going right now in my life. It's really difficult to describe how God is working in me. I feel that He is piling crosses upon me (hence a lot of recent posts concerning the Holy Cross and Jesus' passion). Yet Jesus is ever mindful to give me no more than I can handle.

I was thinking the other day, that truly, what a privilege it is to suffer for Christ. To be like Him, we must also suffer. And I feel that I understand with greater clarity why the Saints rejoiced in their sufferings. Of course, it is not human nature to love suffering, therefore it is certainly a great grace from God. For on our own, we can do nothing. But to suffer for HIM! And to remain close to Him through the suffering...yes...with God's grace, I can say that I am willing to endure my suffering.

And so, I will describe one of the crosses Jesus has allowed I bear. That of unemployment. All summer, I have been searching, trying to find work. You never know how much of a blessing work can be until you don't have it. And the positions I did get interviews for, were given to a better candidate. But I am content. I feel God's grace at work, and I have peace in my heart. Because I know that Jesus will provide. And I am content to wait until He wills that this cross be lifted.

As the Thomas Kempas says,

"When you reach the degree of patience that tribulation is sweet to you and even relished for Christ, then you may trust that all is well with you, for you have found paradise on earth."

I cannot claim to have attained this. But I feel a certain sense of peace, despite what I am going through.

I realize I am not alone in this kind of cross. Many are unemployed, and the numbers seem to continue to grow higher. But, if your in the same boat that I am, just remember, look to Jesus, He will never abandon you, nor forsake you. He truly does have you in the palm of His hand. So take heart. He will help you.

All for the Love of Christ!

P.S. Here is a poem I have written concerning suffering. I have written a longer version, but thought it best to post the 'condensed' one. And if you are reading this, know I am praying for you.

~Christina

Why I Must Suffer

 The drops of blood You lost

On the way to Calvary

 Encompassed the whole world

And yet were shed for me

What were You thinking Jesus,

When You prayed in Gethsemane?

What made your tears fall,

So heavily?

Could it have been,

For sinners?

Someone,

Like me?

The crowd that day

Must have been fierce

When for me

You endured the sneers

You uttered not a word

Accused

 Of What You had not done

Cast a glance of Love

On those, like me,

Who would give you none

You were past exhaustion,

When my sins

Pressed the thorns

Upon Your head

When carrying the wood

You fell thrice

So I would remember

How to follow One crucified

For next, a man

Pounded in the nails.

And God made Man

Became frail

Didn’t they see the purity,

The sorrow,

And the Love,

In Your eyes?

If I had been there,

Hanging by Your side

If I was that man

Would I?

Finally, near the end,

Raising Your eyes to Heaven

You gave up Your spirit with a cry

Then,

The Savior of the World,

I AM WHO AM,

DIED.

Now I remember

Your bitter Passion Lord

But I must recall too

You DEFEATED DEATH,

You ROSE AGAIN

And You promised to return,

SOON

As Jesus rose

So shall I

And those who believe

But I must learn

To follow Him,

On earth

Through Suffering

It is the only way,

Through Calvary,

That Jesus brings us

To Eternity

For me,

He chose to die

And MY SINS

Tore His Heart asunder,

So I come to understand

And begin to remember,

That I am to be

Like my Maker

And that is why,

As His daughter,

Like Him,

I must suffer.

(*note, Poem subject to copyright infringement)