Veronica invites me into her world:

My children and I know exactly what hardship is. We’ve experienced it. My husband and his father spent more on Bacchus than on us. Everything was pawned or sold because of his big thirst – he would’ve died if he couldn’t quench his thirst.

32 years ago, I took my four children (the youngest was only four months old), and went to live with my parents for a while. After about six months I managed to get a tiny house in a small rural village. I had three jobs and was permanently on my knees.

I cannot describe here all we suffered, but we could eat and each had their own bed. Sundays were the only time my barefoot children wore their only pairs of shoes and one set of church clothes.

The Lord was with us all the time. We got through everything with our heads held high and today my children, who rose above all that, help and assist others in need, pray for others, ask Jesus to help them, while communion quenches their thirst.

Through the years, God kneed us like a rubber ball in His hands, with poverty and adversity and hardly any material possessions. We had few clothes and new ones were only for Christmas. We only had one another and God’s invisible presence.

With every single setback I never ever thought about Satan. I refused to assign any tribute to him for again putting another obstacle in my way. I called on our God, praying as I crawled when I couldn’t walk anymore, praying as I slid when I could no longer crawl. God was and is in control, yesterday, today and tomorrow, full stop.

Suffering and hardship drove Veronica onto her knees. Literally and figuratively. Other people’s choices, in this case those of her husband, turned her world upside down and pushed her out of her home. The dreams she had for herself and her family were crushed and she had to start all over again.

I must confess I don’t know if I would’ve continued worshipping God through all of that. I don’t know if I could’ve kept quiet and not asked all the why questions all the time.

I suspect Veronica understands this verse very well: ¹³So let’s go outside, where Jesus is, where the action is—not trying to be privileged insiders, but taking our share in the abuse of Jesus. Jesus was dragged outside the city like a criminal. He was mocked and people cursed Him, calling Him a criminal. He truly suffered although He was innocent. And because Veronica experienced this herself, she could go and kneel at Jesus’ feet so that He could dry her tears.

If you are suffering right now or if suffering suddenly, unexpectedly come knocking at your door someday, we should maybe do the same and go outside and kneel at Jesus’ feet. It will be enough.

Scripture
Hebrews 13:9-16

Reflection
What do you do in times of suffering?
What do you have to do differently?
What does Jesus’ suffering do to your suffering?

Prayer
Father, I am honest when I say I’m not so good with suffering. I don’t know how to process it and actually feel very sorry for myself. Help me walk the way where in my suffering, I hold onto Your suffering, so that it will help me through it. In Jesus’ Name, amen.