Dear Friends in Christ,

     Therapy following shoulder surgery is not a pleasant experience. As many of you know, my wife, Linda, had surgery back in January and is now in her second week of therapy. It is a testimony to God's grace that both therapists who have been working with her are still alive! She takes a pain pill before leaving for the session, then afterward, ice helps with inflammation. Of course, it's the "in between" the two that's tough. The therapist rotates and manipulates, stretches and massages, then hooks her up to gadgets of one kind or another, all designed to help her get full use of her shoulder and arm back. When I say things to her like "no pain, no gain," I run a huge risk of eventual retaliation the next time I turn to her for comfort and understanding!

     She knows the therapists are doing something for her, however, that she can't do for herself just now. And she does appreciate it. The one thing I've noticed as she goes through therapy is how important it is to trust the person who's working with you. She trusts that though what the therapist is doing causes her some pain, it is the kind of pain that promotes healing and strengthening. Without that trust, I don't think she'd go back for one more session!

     Just now, we're going through the season of Lent, making our way toward Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter. During this time of reflection and renewal we look at what Jesus was willing to suffer for us so that we could experience the ultimate healing -- the forgiveness of our sins and a reconciled relationship with God.

Jesus isn't a therapist -- one who assists us while we do the work necessary for healing. He actually takes our place, takes our sin and brokenness and pain upon himself so that we might be cleansed and forgiven and that our relationship with God might be restored. Haven't there been times when you've wished you could take the pain and suffering of a loved one on yourself if it would get them some relief? Well, that's exactly what Jesus did for you and me. Prior to faith in Him, there's no therapy that's going to cure the sin-sick soul. But trusting in Him and in the miracle of radical grace expressed in his suffering, death and resurrection, we find ourselves forgiven and restored! The cross is the sign of God's radical grace expressed in Jesus, and in the resurrection we find all the verification we need to trust that grace. 

     Now, I know Linda wishes Jesus could come and take her shoulder therapy for her, but that's just not going to happen. But one thing I do know: Because she loves and trusts him, he will be with her, will never leave her nor forsake her. And when the pain gets tough, she'll hear him whisper in her soul, "Now Linda, harming the therapist would be wrong ..."

Yours in the Service of Christ and the Church

Bob

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