A Broken Spirit

Dear Timothy,

For some reason God has chosen to acquaint you with suffering at a very tender age. This past week I witnessed the death of childhood innocence and naivete in your little soul. You now know what most of us do not learn until much, much later: life is difficult. Yes, there are joys, but as long as we are in this flesh, we will also experience pain. You understand this now; your spirit has been broken.

All this week, I held you, kept you warm, listened, prayed, and wept with you. Even for the hours and hours that I stayed by your side and wiped away your blood and tears, I could not wipe away your pain. This is for you to suffer alone, until you are freed from your earthly body and come face to face with the only One who can wash away every tear from your eyes for all eternity. If you choose Him, there will be no more crying, or pain; you will have a new body, perfect, unblemished, free from the curse of sin.

Timothy, as you grow to understand more about Christ, you must choose to let your brokenness drive you toward Him and not away. The temptation will be to blame Him and turn your back, but this will bring you nothing but more pain and bitterness. Instead, give your humble heart to Him, and He will strengthen you to endure, as He has strengthened your Daddy and me time and time again. He is faithful and compassionate, and though He sometimes chooses to allow pain, He stays alongside us in the midst of it as One who has also shed blood and tears. Trust Him even when it defies all understanding, and you will bring honor to Him, peace to your soul, and gain life for eternity.

Timothy, I love you as your mother, and I have and will do all I can to comfort you in your affliction. But now we both know that I, too, am weak and broken, and cannot take it for you or away from you. Instead, follow my example: continually place yourself in God's loving arms and wait patiently for His timing. For it only is a matter of time, Timothy, before your suffering will be ended. I pray that you will persevere.