There was syrup all over the canned goods

"I can look back on it now and laugh. But at the time, I felt God had deserted me."

By Sharon S. Currin Mahaffie

My husband had left me, I was recovering from the effects of an accident, I was still in a wheelchair, and I had just learned I would not be eligible for disability unless I conceded it would take at least a year to recover from my injuries. (This was an admission I did not want to make, as I expected complete freedom long before a year would pass.)

My dear mother had lovingly agreed to move in with me to aid in my full recovery. On the day she arrived, I glanced down at a box of her packed canned goods in the middle of the kitchen floor. On top of them, a bottle of pancake syrup was turned on its side and had leaked out onto the canned goods. What a sticky mess! I didn't know whether to laugh or to cry, but before I knew it, I had dissolved into a puddle of tears and was completely enveloped in self-pity. Life just didn't seem worth living as I kept crying out to God, "Why me, why now?!" I suppose I was echoing Job's thought when he cried out, "Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!" (Job 6:2).

I can look back on it now and laugh. But at the time, I felt God had deserted me. Many times since then, God has shown me just how much He truly does love me—and everyone. I've seen that whatever the circumstances, He is constantly watching over, caring for, and loving us.

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There was syrup all over the canned goods

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