I will never forget the first day I met Sue.
She was happy and smiling but I knew the
smile and her speech was not the real Sue.
She reminded me so much of myself a few years
back. Like she wore a mask so others could not
see the real pain she held within. I just sat
back and listened as she and the others chatted
away over morning coffee.
You see, we live in an apartment building with
lovey breeze way. There are four buildings and
each of them have eight apartments. In our
building we all gathered to share coffee,
stories, dreams, wishes and hearts desires,
losses in our lives, our children, grandchild-
ren, trials we faced over the years
I noticed over the days that followed Sue
spoke of herself so negitive and I said, "Sue, you
are stronger and more special than you realize."
She looked at me and said if I knew what she had
done and the people she had hung out with I
would not think she was so special or strong.
As the weeks passed we became friends and she
asked me why I was always happy and had a
peace about me all the time. She said,"It's
like nothing ever upset you. Your Children
call with their problems and you just listen
and tell them to call back if there is some-
thing you can do. Shirley, I would be in
tears and filled with worry for days! How
can you be at peace in times of trouble?"
I told her it was not my joy or peace that she
saw. It was the peace that Jesus left for all
His followers. And that the joy of the Lord
is my strength. I know that God is in control
always and His Word says we have nothing to
worry about all we must do is trust Him.