For some reason, last week I thought of my maternal grandfather, who I was named after.
He had a farm up in the hills of Pennsylvania, and when I’d visit, my cousins and I would get together and make fun of old grandpa. I didn’t understand at the time, but I’m beginning to understand now.
Grandpa had more pain in every part of his body than anybody I knew. Every time he got up to walk, his knees would creak.
He had pain in his hips, his back, and every part of his body had some pain. He limped as he walked.
My cousins and I thought it was hilarious because we didn't know anything about this pain thing. For the most part, we thought he was acting and trying to make us laugh.
If that was his objective, he was very successful. We were careful to laugh only behind his back out of respect. After all, he was our grandfather.
I didn’t know very much about pain. I didn't have too much pain as a young person.
I had what was called a “booboo,” which was hardly a pain. And I must say, a lot of my “boo-boos” were made up.
The reason was that the medicine for a “boo-boo” was ice cream. The bad “boo-boos” required chocolate ice cream.
Whenever I was hungry for ice cream, I’d make up some “boo-boo,” and my mother always gave me the medicine. That’s why I always thought grandpa made up his pain.
I'm one who doesn’t like to acknowledge my pain. Yes, as a young person, recognizing my “boo-boo” was different.
That always involved ice cream. But now, when I have pain, I need to take a pill. And about every pain in my body needs a different pill, or so my doctor says.
And, as you know, doctors are always right. Just ask my wife Martha, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage.
A few years back, I was hit with a ase of shingles on my right side. Fortunately, I saw the doctor within 24 hours and modified the results accordingly. To this day, I have pain in my right hip and my knee.
Martha told me I need to use a cane, because a “cane will make me able.” I thought about it and realized what Cain had done to Abel. I may have pain, but I'm not stupid.
The other week, I was in the waiting room, and as I was there, I looked around. It must've been my imagination, but I seemed to be the youngest person in that room.
Then it hit me like a pie in the face. Looking at these others in that room with all kinds of pain, I realized I fit in perfectly. I was a bit startled.
I was thinking, as I looked around at the people, is there a time when pain ends? How long do I have to put up with it?
As I was thinking about this I remembered a verse in the Bible that addresses this.
“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
— Romans 8: 18
As painful as my sufferings are, they’re only temporary. One moment in heaven and I won’t remember any of my pain. As one trusting Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour, my destiny is assured.
Dr. Snyder is a former pastor who lives with the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage, wife Martha, in Ocala, Fla. His email is [email protected].
