I am real; are you?

I do not quite know what to think. I am back again. Back in Iowa, working at the same job I did about three or four years ago. But nothing about me is the same. I am a woman, a wife, and a mother. I planned a wedding in less than three weeks, went through a cancer battle with my mom, and I even endured a natural childbirth. I survived countless sleepless nights and my daughter's first two teeth. I was in the hospital for a week and have accrued thousands of dollars in medical bills. I am a different person in so many ways, ways I can't even describe. My heart is different and I am deeper. My heart is older, and it is scarred. But it is still beautiful.

I have learned that suffering, storms of life, and hurt is good. It is okay. It is real and true. Jesus suffered so many things when He died on the cross that we can not even begin to fathom. He is real. Paul suffered persecutions, pain, sickness; he was real. (2 Timothy 3:11-12) Christians are not exempt from suffering. We should embrace it. Embrace it because after the storm we find beauty and strength. If you do not go through tumultuous times in life, how can you help others? How can you really be real?

I Peter 1:6-9
In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls."