Wit's End Corner

Good morning, Friends.

There is no news to share regarding Mackenzie’s health, but I felt compelled to share something with you.

It seems that everywhere I turn, someone is suffering. Of course, I have always felt this way, but it was distant suffering: Suffering of people after terrorist attacks or tsunamis or hurricanes, the suffering I saw on the news. Things are different now. Perhaps God has opened my eyes to the pain of others as we walk through our own trial. Perhaps trouble is increasing, as Jesus talked about Matthew 24. Whatever the reason, I see suffering all around me—diseases, death of loved ones, divorce, depression, destructive behavior, etc. Even if the suffering is not on a large scale as judged by others, people are just discontent or at the end of their rope. If you find yourself there, at the end of your rope, would you take comfort in the fact that this is a good place to be—at the end of yourself? For this is the very place of peace if you will surrender your inadequacy to the One Who is more than adequate.

I read the poem below in Streams in the Desert on May 23rd. This was a significant day in the life of our family because May 23rd is the day Mackenzie should have graduated from high school. Most of the time, we are able to walk moment-by-moment through this trial, but that day the full force of the past year seemed to hit me. I truly found myself at wit’s end that morning. I sat on the back porch in the beautiful sunshine and told the Lord all about it. You know, He never turns His back to our sorrow, and He never ignores our pain. He listens and He understands. He comforts and He strengthens.

When I was finished talking to Him, I opened Streams in the Desert, and this is what I read:

Wit’s End Corner

Are you standing at "Wit's End Corner,"
Christian, with troubled brow?
Are you thinking of what is before you,
And all you are bearing now?
Does all the world seem against you,
And you in the battle alone?
Remember--at "Wit's End Corner,"
Is just where God's power is shown.

Are you standing at "Wit's End Corner,"
Blinded with wearying pain,
Feeling you cannot endure it,
You cannot bear the strain,
Bruised through the constant suffering,
Dizzy, and dazed, and numb?
Remember--at "Wit's End Corner,"
Is where Jesus comes to love.

Are you standing at "Wit's End Corner,"
Your work before you spread,
All lying begun, unfinished,
And pressing on heart and head,
Longing for strength to do it,
Stretching out trembling hands?
Remember--at "Wit's End Corner,"
The Burden-bearer stands.

Are you standing at "Wit's End Corner,"
Then you're just in the very spot
To learn the wondrous resources
Of Him who faileth not;
No doubt to a brighter pathway
Your footsteps will soon be moved,
But only at "Wit's End Corner"
Is the "God who is able" proved.
Antoinette Wilson

I pray that if you find yourself at Wit’s End Corner this morning, you will find hope and comfort in the One Who is able!

We love you all,
Lisa