heroes are standing up

Wow. I was hardly prepared for the avalanche of family issues that this past weekend brought up. Yesterday it was something like 3:30pm when I finally got done praying with couples, families, and individuals who had to face the wreckage of sinful lives- either their own or someone else's.

Several marriages dealt with infidelity for the first time. I talked to kids who wanted to know how to handle an abusive parent- some Mom's and some Dad's. I talked to quite a few very remorseful people who made huge mistakes and now have to face forgiving themselves even more than other people.

I count it unspeakably precious to be able to help in difficult places like these. And by the grace of God, I believe in some ways, I did.

From time to time, someone tells me that they wouldn't want my job, because it involves to much "playing in the sewer of human pain". But this is the job I was born to do and I am thrilled beyond belief when I get to do it, and it helps someone. All I do, is lead them to the foot of the cross, and help them see the value of bending their knee before a forgiving and understanding God who is acquainted with pain and can help them heal.

And after years of doing this job, here's what I know. Every person who finds their way through these excruciatingly painful events and survives it by falling on their knees before Jesus, will emerge with the strength and vitality of a super-hero. I never get tired of seeing that happen.