Worth the Pain

I saw a sign on a small presbyterian church that I happened to be using to turn around in, and written in the largest letters that nearly engulfed the sign read "Love is worth the Pain"
A resounding thought, to say the least.
Now, having felt many types of love and many types of pain, I have joined the camp of "it is better to have loved and lost, than to have never loved at all." However, I was not always a member of that camp, and sometimes I still go on hiatus from that camp when pain is very intense and I do not think the joys are worth the pains, momentarily.
It prompted pondering about all of the types of love and if they are worthwhile when you know or suspct (or don't expect) pain.

Love of a pet, who you are aware will most likely not outlive you.
Love for a child, requiring pain to bring into the world, pain as they grow, and pain as they move on.
Love for a spouse, possibly the easiest to cause pain to, and the most painful when hurt.
Love of a best friend, who doesn't always get it right and can cause you great pain.
Love of a sibling, which was probably founded on pain but has grown deep.
Love of a heavenly Father tht you cannot possibly understand, and who sometimes even seems to cause pain, or at least let it happen unhindered.
Love from a Creator, who sees His children hurt every second of every day by bad choices (theirs or others).

And that's just a few.

My point being exactly what that church sign said: "Love is worth the Pain." If it was not, where would God's Grace be? or rather, where would we, as a human race, be?

Safety

I defer to these two songs to much better express my gratitude for God's unending faithfullness and Grace:

"I will be Here" by Steven Curtis Chapman

Tomorrow morning if you wake up
and the sun does not appear
I will be here
If in the dark, we lose sight of love
Hold my hand, and have no fear
'Cause I will be hereI will be here
When you feel like being quiet
When you need to speak your mind
I will listen

And I will be here
When the laughter turns to cryin'
Through the winning, losing and trying
We'll be together
I will be here

Tomorrow morning, if you wake up
And the future is unclear
I will be here
Just as sure as seasons were made for change
Our lifetimes were made for these years
So I will be here

I will be here
And you can cry on my shoulder
When the mirror tells us we're older
I will hold you
And I will be here
To watch you grow in beauty
And tell you all the things you are to me
I will be here
I will be true to the promise I have made
To you and to the One who gave you to me

Tomorrow morning, if you wake up
And the sun does not appear
I will be here
Oh, I will be here.


"Your Grace Still Amazes Me" by Phillips, Craig, and Dean

My faithful Father, enduring Friend
Your tender mercy’s like a river with no end
It overwhelms me, covers my sin
Each time I come into Your presence
I stand in wonder once again

CHORUS: Your grace still amazes me
Your love is still a mystery
Each day I fall on my knees
Your grace still amazes me
‘Cause Your grace still amazes me

Oh, patient Saviour, You make me whole
You are the Author and the Healer of my soul
What can I give You, Lord, what can I say
I know there’s no way to repay You
Only to offer You my praise

Your grace still amazes me
Your love is still a mystery
Each day I fall on my knees
Your grace still amazes me
‘Cause Your grace still amazes me

It’s deeper, it’s wider It’s stronger, it’s higher
It’s deeper it’s wider It’s stronger, it’s higher
than anything my eyes can see

Your grace still amazes me
Your love is still a mystery
Each day I fall on my knees
Your grace still amazes me
‘Cause Your grace still amazes me