We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 5:3-4 (NIV) Suffering is relative, isn’t it? I could run low on toilet paper and say I'd suffered, yet a friend could experience the death of a child and say she’d suffered. During a difficult season of suffering, I was told quite matter-of-factly by a wise and and influential woman, “You are in suffering school.” Imagine this exchange

To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12 (NIV) For almost a year now, I've prodded my oldest son to remember to loan me his degree earned last August so we could get it framed. While the certificate he'd been awarded came from an established university, bears signatures of academic officials, and is something to be super proud of, it is, afterall an 8 1/2 x 11 piece of card stock. (that cost thousands o