“Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. ‘Abba, Father,' he said, ‘everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.' ”

Mark 14:35-36 ( NIV )

How comforting it is to know that Jesus asked God to remove “the cup,” the painful trial and death He was about to face. There is such honesty and humility in this prayer. To know He had the power to escape the crucifixion but chose to suffer and die for each of us is beyond comprehension; but that is the way of love.

This past year we have decided to walk each morning before work (mostly I decided this was a good idea and Greg has obliged me!). Despite the freezing temperatures and sacrifice of sleep, it has been a blessing. Not only do we walk together, but we use part of the time to pray together. Every day we lift up our prayers for our sons, our families, our friends and others. So often we have asked God to remove the pain and suffering from their lives, to find an easier way.

And then He reminds us of our need to relinquish them into His hands so His will can be accomplished. God repeatedly shows all of us that what we surrender and entrust to Him will be transformed into something far more valuable and precious than we ever imagined.

God's ways are not our ways. His plan is always greater than ours. Who would have thought such a terrible death on a cross would be needed for such a glorious salvation? As we seek answers to our heartaches and trials may we too have faith to say to God, “Yet not what I will but what You will.”

“. . . because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day.” 2 Timothy 1:12 ( NIV )

GREG and SUSAN LAUBACH