Category Archives: suffering

Tough Transitions

Posted on August 15, 2025 by Doc Arnett

While I don’t know of a good way to lose a loved one to death, some are certainly worse than others. In all cases, God’s grace and mercy sustain us. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Death & Dying, Family, Spiritual Contemplation, suffering | Tagged cancer, comfort, death, dying, faith, grief, hope, life, loss, love, protracted suffering, tragedy, trauma | Comments Off

Thriving on the Dung Pile

Posted on August 13, 2025 by Doc Arnett

Weeds growing on a dry muck heap develop impressive roots systems to not just survive, but thrive.

God can turn manure into humus… Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Metaphysical Reflection, Spiritual Contemplation, suffering | Tagged acceptance, compost, garden, gardening, humus, manure, nature, nourishment, providence, provision, roots, suffering, thriving, vegetables | Comments Off

The Two-Legged Turtle

Posted on April 2, 2025 by Doc Arnett

A little farm kid finds something unusual in a tiny pond and learns that good intentions don’t always lead to good results. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Death & Dying, Farming, Nature, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation, suffering | Tagged caring, motivation, motives, nature, painted turtle, pond, racoon, red-eared turtle, travel, turtle, turtles, west Kentucky, wildlife | Comments Off

I Will Praise Your Name

Posted on January 24, 2025 by Doc Arnett

For over seven decades,
I have seen the work of your hands,
felt your fashioning upon the clay of my heart,
witnessed your amazing presence
in both light and dark,
seen you work for my good in all things. Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Christian Devotions, Nature, Poetic Contemplations, Poetry, Spiritual Contemplation, suffering | Tagged disappointment, disobedience, experiences, exultation, faithfulness, faithlessness, glorify God, life, praise, shame, testing, trials, worship | Comments Off

The Comfort of a Cloudy Autumn Day

Posted on October 24, 2024 by Doc Arnett

In the muted colors of a cloudy autumn day, the Spirit speaks softly to the wounded heart, words of peace and comfort. Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Death & Dying, Nature, Poetic Contemplations, Poetry, Spiritual Contemplation, suffering | Tagged autumn, colors of fall, comfort, fall, Holy Spirit, northeast Kansas, peace, Spirit, the Comforter | Comments Off

New Wounds, Old Pains

Posted on September 26, 2024 by Doc Arnett

My battle with depression has taught me several lessons. Among the most useful is the power of appreciation and focus. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Poetic Contemplations, Poetry, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation, suffering | Tagged appreciation, Christ, depression, focus, forgiveness, garment of praise, God, grace, Holy Spirit, hurts, pain, spirit of heaviness, worship, wounds | Comments Off

On Seeing Michael McCain for the First Time in Twenty-four Years

Posted on September 4, 2024 by Doc Arnett

He finishes parking his carAs I swing into the space beside himIn Don Senor’s parking lot. We trade one-armed man hugsAnd go inside to a booth near the back. It was hard to watch and hard to not see The … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Death & Dying, Family, Poetic Contemplations, Poetry, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation, suffering | Tagged death, faith, grief, loss, old friends, separation, sorrow | Comments Off

Perspective

Posted on August 14, 2024 by Doc Arnett

The worst day I have ever had
Was better than I deserved. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Poetic Contemplations, Poetry, Spiritual Contemplation, suffering | Tagged appreciation, grace, gratitude, humility | Comments Off

Restless in Kansas

Posted on April 30, 2024 by Doc Arnett

The beauty of a still night, the ache of chronic pain, and a friend’s cancer diagnosis: all part of this life that I love. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Death & Dying, Nature, Poetic Contemplations, Poetry, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation, suffering | Tagged cancer, cancer treatment, chemo, chemotherapy, chronic pain, insomnia, iris, iris blooms, moon, moonshadows | Comments Off

The Bitter Storms

Posted on January 19, 2024 by Doc Arnett

The longer I have lived the more I am convinced that it is not time that heals. It is, rather, the blending of choice and grace, a sort of submissive seeking of healing. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Metaphysical Reflection, Nature, Poetic Contemplations, Poetry, Spiritual Contemplation, suffering | Tagged cold, comfort, grief, healing, snow, winter, winter storms | Comments Off