ILLNESS
Illness and suffering can teach if we are willing to learn,
The main thing is compassion, which everyone should earn.
Yet, if we feel bitterness at pain and think why is it me
That suffers, you loose the chance to learn lessons for eternity.
Compassion is part of charity, deep understanding too,
You can gain a closeness to others who helped you through
The times when you thought your heart would break,
Then realize just how much difference one person can make.
When you can hold someone’s hand when they are suffering,
Tell them you have been there and have an understanding
Of what it’s like, as you learn to give of yourself in pain,
Then slowly, day by day some Christ-like attributes gain.
As illness and suffering come, I pray that I may be teachable,
Take away my self-pity, replace it with a heart that is able
To grow and understand, that it is God above who is in command,
He will teach lessons in His own way, if we truly understand,
That this life is just a small part of God’s vast eternity
And the way that it is lived, good or bad, is entirely up to me.

M Ann Margetson © April 1, 2001

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