Lessons in adversity

Financially, a year after my husband’s death I hit bottom. Our propane tank was empty and as I arrived home from work one night, a notice hung on my front door like a noose around my neck. The power had been turned off.

With a heavy heart I cried out to God for help. I pulled myself together so that I could retrieve my then eight-year-old son, Chris, from a friend’s house. The gated community with well-manicured lawns, adorned gaudy Christmas paraphernalia, and the smell of cozy fires permeated the chilled air. As I rolled our rusty Chrysler into the driveway of the massive Tudor estate, it belched out a toxic gas, coughed and died. The hydraulic top quit working back in September, and the brisk winter air sent a chill to my very marrow. Hearing laughter from the second story window, I felt guilty pulling Chris from this boy haven.

Greeted by the mom at the door, we passed through the stunning marble entryway offset by enormous pillars that opened up into a massive white-carpeted living room. The towering, 18-foot Christmas tree and oak-crackling fireplace dripped with the fragrance of Christmas. It was then I noticed her face in the glowing firelight.

“What’s the matter Patsy? Is everything OK?” I asked.

“I had the worse day!” She was now nearing tears.

“You’re kidding? Me, too! What happened?”

“You’re not going to believe this.” Her lips turned to a child-like pout. ”It’s much worse than you can imagine. My maid didn’t show up today.”

“What?”

“That’s right! The maid didn’t show up, and I had to vacuum the whole house. I suspect she hasn’t been vacuuming under the beds as well! It’s almost Christmas and I have tons of presents to wrap. You’d think she could schedule her doctor appointment at a better time of year. How ridiculous to leave it until now especially when this house is such a mess.”

I looked around at the immaculate surroundings. “Well, you sure can’t get good help these days.”

“So, what happened to you?” she asked.

“Compared to what you’ve been through, nothing significant,” I mused.

“You and Chris have a wonderful Christmas.” She forced a pitiful smile.

I tucked Chris into a sleeping bag and put his seat belt around him. “I have some sucky news,” I told him.

“What happened, Mom?” I looked at his concerned frown in the glow of a streetlight.

“The power is off in the house.”

“Oh, I thought it was something bad. Can we make a tent on your bed like we’re camping out, with flashlights and stuff?” he asked.

“Great idea.”

As we opened the door I found an envelope with $340 from my church group. One of them had been by and had seen the notice on the door. I was stunned by their love.

Later I turned to my little son as we lay in our cozy tent. “Tomorrow we’ll have hot water. No one in the whole world will enjoy a hot bubble bath as much as we will!”

“Sure there is mom.” He said pensively. “There are people living in the bushes. At least we have someplace to heat our water.”

Needless to say, I was humbled by his wisdom, and I felt a little like Patsy without her housekeeper. There are always worse circumstances—always. I held my boy tightly and thanked God for the gifts of that day. We had a wonderful night that turned out to be one of our fondest memories together, telling ghost stories as the candlelight danced on the ceiling of our tent.

Now at 20 years old, my son has wisdom beyond his years, grounded in a true appreciation of what is important in life that mainly springs from the difficult times in our past.

You know why faith really matters? Because if you are struggling, know that we have a loving God who rescues us from our trouble and teaches the finest lessons through adversity. We emerge from our difficulties changed for the good, capable of more love and compassion. More so, than had we not gone through these trials in the first place!

“The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; he is their stronghold in time of trouble.” Ps 37:39