Hope and Suffering

"And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we rejoice in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces endurance, endurance character, and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." Romans 5:2b-5
Hope and suffering - so connected. It is interesting that Paul does not link suffering and blessing. I have been taught that if you work hard and sacrifice, good will come to you; after you have suffered you will be blessed. But Paul says nothing about good, pointing out the progression of growth into hope - hope of an eternity spent with God. It just isn't about the stuff of this world.
I would like to rejoice in my sufferings knowing the growth they bring - someday....

Today at church we remembered those who had given their lives for this country. We also remembered those members of the church who had died in the past year. There were three - after each name was read, the church bell rang. My dad's was the last name read. then we could come to the front and light a candle remembering a loved one who had died. I haven't had many opportunities to grieve my dad. It was good to sit with his death, miss him, remember him, and hear the bell ring.