Hospitals

I visited a friend in the hospital just before Thanksgiving.


It was tough to be there in the hospital. It was hard to be around people who were physically hurting. It was tough to see my friend in there, having to stay there because they were not certain what his body was doing, or if it could hold up outside the hospital on its own. It was hard to think about what would happen if my friend was not there anymore - what would happen to his kids, his wife, his family?


I think I feel uncomfortable in hospitals because it's uncomfortable being around suffering. I don't know exactly what to do with it. Do I smile in the face of death, putting on a mask, or do I slog around in pessimism, not expecting anything better? Those are two extremes. What I want to do is face death, suffering and pain head on, certainly try to avoid them if it is prudent, but if suffering is inevitable, i don't want to be afraid of it. I want my fear to be replaced with trust - trust in the Sovereign and Good God who knows the future, and has my best interest, His best interest, in mind.

I think it's good to see the whole picture of humanity, experience our depravity, and suffering is part of that human picture. Seeing people suffer, like my friend, make me realize how fragile life is - how quickly life can change. I see my need for something deeper than day to day life, but for something that is eternal and will endure thru suffering and that is bigger than suffering. I need hope to truly enjoy life.




Seeing suffering and realizing it could also happen to you is also a good way to put things in life in perspective. What do I want to leave behind after I'm gone from this world? Is getting that new car or home really that important? Nope.

My friend is doing much better, but the cause of his illness is still a mystery.