C. S. Lewis asserts in A Grief Observed that physical pain is less tolerable than emotional pain because it brooks no distractions. Even in our worst sadness and anguish, there is the possibility of being distracted by something good, but when one's body is in torment, it allows no such escape. I was struck by this argument during my second reading of the book and at the time thought he put the case rather strongly. Surely people who suffer great agonies of soul and spirit, such those who are imprisoned or heartbroken or bereft, are in the same league as those who suffer physically? Yet, I now think of C. S. Lewis when my body breaks down because physical pain has proven his point. It is terribly hard to be distracted when your body is demanding attention. (Yes, I know that C.S. Lewis tends to be right. Silly me.)
Thankfully, the reason I am thinking of this topic tonight is merely because I am still exhausted from a head cold. Unfortunately, said cold began immediately prior to the Jordan trip and lingered through most of the outreach. The lack of energy has certainly diminished my blogging output. Still, I did try to keep my promise of uploading pictures. Our feeble internet connection intervened. Next week! In the meantime, here's a teaser:
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| Reading the Joni book |
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| Siblings reading the Joni book while they wait for pediatric wheelchairs |
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| Sudanese refugee in Jordan for treatment |
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| Happy to be fitted! |
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| Mother and son |
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