JUGHEADS
Youth Juggling Company, LLC
5905 Concord Avenue
Edina, MN 55424
jugheads@comcast.net
or 952.926.0896

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January 2007

"Tidal Wave of Trials"

Life is not easy, nor should it be. Trials often come in waves, as Wendy & I have experienced in the past 60 days: flu, burglary, surgery, and broken trust. Prior to these, our biggest recent trial was simply moving JH to the church in May 2005. After our move, Wendy often commented that we were in a period of "rest" in our life. Now, her wisdom states that our period of rest has prepared us for the present trials we face. The good news is that the present trials are also building in us perseverance, character, hope, godly obedience, and empathy to help others in their own trials. As I mentioned in the opening article, Wendy's surgery has yielded more blessing than trial in our life. Going a step further, the trial itself has been a blessing. I have been forced to be more tender in my care-giving, serving her three meals a day in bed for a time, and constantly looking out for her well-being. Wendy was humbled, I was made more tender, and a community rallied around us. I could apply similar observations of our other recent trials and those of our close friends. The bottom line? We're learning, sometimes even during the pain, to see trials as a reason to rejoice rather than to despair.