What a dark and gray day it was when my friend and his wife learned she had breast cancer.
My friends have been married for years, have three children, and have always been healthy. So when the diagnosis came, they were blindsided, and simply stunned at what may await them. Sure enough, there was fear, inconvenience, discomfort, as the journey unfolded.
But thankfully, a combination of good doctors, good medicine, a good support system, and a lot of prayer came together to bring healing.
This year my friends celebrated 6 years being cancer-free. And they used this anniversary to conclude that the strength and joy they now have in their marriage would simply not be there had they not faced down cancer.
While no one should ever pray for the kind of suffering my friends went through, we should pray for the grace to see in trials, the blessings that may result.
This Sunday, we will hear the familiar story of the Good Samaritan, and be reminded of the charity and love of its main character.
The Samaritan did not have to stop and go out of his way to tend to the needs of a complete stranger. It was inconvenient, unsafe, and unpopular.
However, when he did, not only was there satisfaction to experience, but he also went down in history as an icon of kindness and compassion.
Sure, given the choice, we’ll all choose the comfy road.
But when we have no choice, taking the difficult road rarely goes without reward.
