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We do not have a high priest
who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but...we have one (Jesus, the Son of God) who has been tempted in every way,
just as we are - Hebrews 4:15
I was waving my arm back and forth underwater, hoping the weightlessness and buoyancy
of the pool would help heal the tendonitis. "In the past, my husband has suffered with arthritic problems in his shoulders
and elbows. He would wince when turning a certain way, even in his sleep. I believed him, that it really hurt. I couldn't
understand it though.
I can no longer say that, thanks to the trimming of the banana tree. The dead leaves kept
getting droopier, so one morning I got out the long-handled clippers. Intrepidly, I tackled my project. Somehow I forgot about
banana leaves being made of incredibly strong, fibrous material not unlike nylon. I had a good grip, twisted my forearm, and
pop! I could feel the burning sensation.
It is true, you can't understand a person until you've walked in his
shoes. Nor can you, I think, truly trust him unless he's 'been there, done that'. In the Bible, it says Jesus understands
everything about us. Everything. If that is so, then he has experienced all that we have. As I pondered this, the thought
crossed my mind, " I don't think so. He lived a long time ago and there's no way he's gone through what I have."
Then
different stories from the bible came to mind. I thought how Jesus was shunned and rejected by not only strangers, but also
by people he knew well. He was misunderstood continually, and misrepresented. He felt sadness, sorrow, and he grieved. He
hurt and he got angry. He loved his mom, family, parties, his buddies. He was, at times, tempted to do wrong, confused and
unsure. And often he talked things over with his Father.
If each time there's a twinge of pain, my memory is jogged
to recall that we have a Saviour who's "been there, done that" and I can trust Him, it will have been more than worth it.
Contributed by Sally I. Kennedy (boca7565@bellsouth.net) Author of "52 Little Parables from Ireland" (Creation
House Press)
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