Linda found herself in the...
Illustration
Linda found herself in the hospital as a result of complications from surgery. Her days were long and full of pain. When family and friends visited her, she would ask them the question, "Why has this happened to me?" Linda certainly did not deserve it, which is true for everyone. She kept asking the question and no one could give her a satisfactory answer.
One day, a nun was visiting the patient in the other bed. Linda asked her that same question. The sister pulled a chair alongside her bed. She spoke softly, lovingly to her explaining how Jesus suffered and he did not deserve it, either. "When Jesus died on the cross," she explained, "he took with him everyone's sin and suffering."
The conversation with the nun completely changed Linda's outlook on life. She no longer asked why but viewed her situation as an opportunity to witness to her faith in the hospital and later continuing her recovery in a nursing home. She not only shared her faith with people who visited her but also sought out others who were in pain speaking words of comfort and hope.
Linda discovered her gift of mercy. Months later when she finally returned home she continued her ministry by calling people who were sick or recovering or discouraged on the telephone.
One day, a nun was visiting the patient in the other bed. Linda asked her that same question. The sister pulled a chair alongside her bed. She spoke softly, lovingly to her explaining how Jesus suffered and he did not deserve it, either. "When Jesus died on the cross," she explained, "he took with him everyone's sin and suffering."
The conversation with the nun completely changed Linda's outlook on life. She no longer asked why but viewed her situation as an opportunity to witness to her faith in the hospital and later continuing her recovery in a nursing home. She not only shared her faith with people who visited her but also sought out others who were in pain speaking words of comfort and hope.
Linda discovered her gift of mercy. Months later when she finally returned home she continued her ministry by calling people who were sick or recovering or discouraged on the telephone.
