This Life is Not All There Is.

I'm here at the dialysis clinic with my father.
Clinics or hospitals of any kind sort of make me sad. They are reminders of temporal illness and the curse of mankind. The smell inside is something comparative to the loss of hope. I look around see so many sick people and it hurts my heart. I know this place is keeping them all alive (my daddy included) as well as Jesus that keeps them alive, but I sometimes need to take a walk in the sunshine and fresh air when it gets to be a bit too much.

As my father lies in this chair 3 and 1/2 hours a day, 3 days a week; it gives me a lot of time to just reflect. As I am walking around in the vicinity of the clinic, I look up to the sky and just draw my strength from God to know that this isn't it. That this earth and the ailments of our earthly bodies are only temporary. God is my hope and the things He has promised us in the life to come with Him, makes everything in this life sort of pale in comparison. So although my heart hurts momentarily to see these people in the condition they are in, as well as my father; the knowledge alone of God's goodness takes the bulk of that pain away and it's replaces with His grace, His love, He reminds me that He is still in control. He still has these people who suffer in the palms of His hands and He still cares for them. He hasn't forsaken us. I know He will wipe away every tear from our eyes, and there will be No more pain when we go to His kingdom and that gives me hope again.

There is a reason for each of our struggles in life. They will be revealed to us if not in this life, surely in the next. Until then, I pray He carry us in His truths and promises. And when we feel like giving up, that He comes with His spirit in those moments to give us the strength we need to endure.

- Brianna Carey ©