"A hurt of the heart is as indescribable as verbally painting a picture of a sunset for a person who has never seen color." ~The McKade Saga

When I wrote that statement for a book I published years ago, I didn't understand it nearly as much as I do now. C.S. Lewis said, "Experience: that most brutal of teachers. But you learn."

Sometimes in the classroom of life, we think we have a handle on the lesson material. We study and try to make sure we're ready. Then the big test comes and we realize that we aren't as prepared as we thought. Sometimes it isn't the questions we've prepared for that stump  us, but the additional curveball bonus ones that we never saw coming. Those are the ones that trip us up, and they are the ones that affect our final grade the most. It's a good thing God's lesson plans include a grace period with a guaranteed do-over. 

Pain of the heart really is brutal, but I take comfort in the promise that it won't be forever. The Lord holds each life in the palm of His hand, and no heartache is too big for Him to carry, no hurt too brutal for Him to heal. One way or another, the hurting does end, and if we keep our attention fixed on the Teacher and do our best, we won't fail.

This is my hope and my prayer, for each and every one of us.