Some years are tough. I’m thankful for His grace in that I haven’t had many of those. I know people at this very moment who are suffering through some unbelievable trials; far worse than I can imagine right now. Sometimes I feel guilty dwelling on my pain, but if from guilt I ignore and suppress my pain, then I belittle all of us who are suffering in our own ways; and just because my pain or your pain is small compared to those who have "big problems” doesn’t mean we are not allowed to feel our suffering just the same and to talk about it and share it with others. Pain is extremely personal. Last summer, a year ago to be exact, I posted “The Summer of Aunt Blanche”. It was an experience of reflection to see who I am in Christ. It was a summer to practice grace and to receive grace from God, the Grace-Giver. It was a summer of learning how to be less self-centered and more self-less. It was exactly what God, the Grace-Giver wants us to do when He allows testing and t