A Smooth Ride over Rocky Roads: A Christian Guide to Surviving and T riving in Hard Times W riting a book was not ever on my bucket list. You see, I am a consum- mate extrovert. T e thought of sitting alone in front of a keyboard day af er day held no appeal. In fact, I would consider doing so the worst punishment. For me, it is akin to solitary conf nement for the incarcerated. However, God had other plans. In fact, in many ways, God is the author of this book, and I am merely the amanuensis. T is book begins with the time in my life when I was at my lowest. It was the time when I came as close as I came to suicide. It was the time when I lay on the f oor of the Stanford Hospital bathroom with my head in the toilet and cursed God. (see Job 2:9) And sure enough, I did “die.” T at is to say that my heart stopped beat- ing brief y during a procedure. Out of that “death,” I re-discovered the many ways in which God is not only with us in our pain and sorrow, but He also gives us tools for dealing with them and even brings good out of them. T is book is written for anyone who is going through hard times. T ose times might consist of poor health, physical pain, relationship struggles, f nancial troubles, or many other types of rocks in your road. It is written for those who say, “Why me, God?’ or “How can a good God allow bad things?” or for those who turn their backs on God because their prayers for relief don’t seem to be answered. T is book shows that God answers all prayers and that He never turns His back on believers. I have had hard times in my life. I have had cancer, had a husband abandon me and our children amid my illness, been widowed af er 42 years of marriage, lost a son, and many other “rocky roads.” As I look back, even when I questioned God, He was there and He was actively working for good in the midst of my pain. Romans 8:28 is my life verse. From the vantage point of my elderly years, I see that God had a plan and a purpose for everything that occurred. Currently, I am more fulf lled and more aware of His purpose than I have ever been. I started out as a nurse, became a nurs- ing educator, directed nursing programs and developed other medical educational programs, and was on the board of sever- al medically related organizations. Along the way, with my master’s degree in nurs- ing education, I “accidentally” obtained a master’s degree in theology. I use the word “accidentally” in that I grabbed a chance to study for eight years part time with absolutely no idea for the reason, ex- cept for the fact that I enjoy learning. Af er I retired, I taught Bible study at a couple of churches in my area. However, when my second husband died, I expe- rienced an identity crisis. “Who am I? What am I here for? What will I do with my life.” T e role of healthcare chaplaincy, minis- tering to those who are experiencing the ef ects of ill health, injury, and impending death, kept being presented to me. So at the age of 78, I went back to school, to learn clinical pastoral education. Every educational and occupational experience that I had qualif ed me for the two years that CPE required. I function as a healthcare chaplain in both a senior continuing care residential community, and an acute care hospital, where I of en encounter graduates from my former life. As the TV commercial says, “But wait, there’s more.” You would think that at the age of 83, God would let me wallow in the past and not keep putting challenges in my road. But no. He has directed me into a doctoral of ministry program, from which I am due to graduate in 2026, if He wills so. Even now, He is ref ning me to be ready for entering the new life that I will receive upon my death. T e doctoral program is one of the most dif cult academic pro- grams that I have experienced. As I write this, God is teaching me humility, deter- mination, and perseverance. He is de- manding that I trust Him and depend on Him alone. “Not by might or power, but by my Spirit.” (Zech 4:6) With Paul, I can say “ However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to f nish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” (Acts 20:24)
