Grace That Sustains

"The will of God will never take you where the love of God cannot sustain you."

Such were the words of wisdom displayed over the shoulder of the woman who checked us in at the registration area of Roswell Park Cancer Institute last Fall. Since then, I have come to learn the truth of those words.

Obviously, a cancer diagnosis (or any serious health issue, for that matter) poses a difficult obstacle both for the person diagnosed and their family. Viewed as a whole, the challenges of treating (and beating) the illness seem insurmountable. Yet, taken one day at a time (and sustained by the grace of God), the "mountain" can be scaled.

Therein lies the wisdom of the words above. The will of God often takes us to places we would not go of our own accord, putting in front of us challenges that seem quite impossible. Yet, God does not simply deposit us at the base of the mountain and leave us to our own devices. He always provides the necessary grace to meet the challenge. Yes! The will of God will never take you where the love of God cannot sustain you!

However, in my experience, grace is most often situation-specific, meaning that one only receives the grace needed in the moment of trial. So, looking at a situation from afar, one often feels as though there is no way he could survive... No way that she could meet the challenge, whether with God's grace or without it. That is because the grace to deal with the situation has not yet been given.

In this regard, I am reminded of the many inspiring Catholic martyrs, who frequently endured unspeakable torments. I believe that the strength and faith that these men and women displayed at the time of trial is attributable to the great graces that God bestowed upon them.

In my own situation, looking back over the past six months, I marvel at the way my family has handled our difficulties. I look at the variety of obstacles we have encountered and overcome and see the hand of God everywhere. I know that God's grace was present because I am certain that we could never have navigated through that time without it.

I suspect that if someone had described these past months to me before I lived them, I would have been overwhelmed and discouraged, wholly uncertain that I would be able to rise to the occasion and meet the challenges. Such feelings would derive, in part, from the fact that I would be viewing the situation without the benefit of the graces I would receive at the appropriate time. Fortunately for us all, God in his great mercy and love, bestows upon his faithful the grace necessary in each moment.

Trust in the Lord. He will not disappoint!

Praise God!!