2nd Cup of Coffee for 10/22/26: "SOME THROUGH GREAT SORROW, BUT..."

2nd Cup of Coffee for 10/22/26: "SOME THROUGH GREAT SORROW, BUT..."

Posted 10/22/26

This sound like anybody you know?

"Good morning. Hey, could we meet for coffee? I'm buying."

"Oh, nah, I've got a ton of things I gotta do, so thanks anyway."

"I wouldn't ask if it weren't important.  We need to talk.”

“Idawannahearit!”

“We really do need t—–”

“LALALALALALALALA!” Complete with fingers in the ears, walking away. Car door slams. Garage door goes up, engine starts, sounds of vehicle exiting at warp five. You can almost smell the burnt rubber over the phone...

An hour later, texting: “I care or I wouldn’t try.  I’ll even meet you somewhere, your choice.”

REJECTION MESSAGE: “Look, Dillweed, I said I don’t want to hear it.  Leave me alone!”

A couple of observations and I’ll let you get on with your busy Thursday.

§  If you cannot or will not see yourself through others’ eyes it is difficult to claim emotional or spiritual maturity.  It is informative and occasionally shocking to take an honest look at who and what those around you see when they look at you – and when they listen to you.  Sometimes it’s pleasant; other times it stings a little.  But in all cases there is value in knowing how you are coming across to those looking on.

It is wise to carefully choose whom you ask.

§  Those who make the most lasting impact on you are the ones who love you enough to tell you what you do not always want to hear - but should.  You probably won’t like them much at the time.  But if your friendship is sturdy enough for them to weather your gripey snarkiness long enough to tell you the tough words, hang onto ’em.

§   Those men or women are individuals who've been through what the old song of the redeemed reminds:

In shady, green pastures, so rich and so sweet,
God leads His dear children along;
where the water’s cool flow bathes the weary one’s feet,
God leads His dear children along.

Sometimes on the mount where the sun shines so bright,
God leads His dear children along;
sometimes in the valley, in darkest of night,
God leads His dear children along.

Though sorrows befall us and Satan oppose,
God leads His dear children along;
through grace we can conquer, defeat all our foes,
God leads His dear children along.

Away from the mire and away from the clay,
God leads His dear children along;
away up in glory, eternity’s day,
God leads His dear children along.

Refrain:
Some through the waters, some through the flood,
some through the fire, but all through the Blood;
some through great sorrow, but God gives a song,
in the night season and all the day long.

(G. A. Young, 1903 - Public Domain, GOD LEADS US ALONG)

A. W. Tozer wrote this in The Root of The Righteous: "It is doubtful God can use a man greatly until He has wounded him deeply."

Before our coffee-dodging friend asks, Tozer never meant God's a big bully who indiscriminantly smacks men or women around, forcing them to do what He commands. Facts bear out that hard times hit us all at some point in our lives. Our humanity makes such an inevitable reality.

It's the individuals who live through "the water, flood, fire, and sorrow", who let those life lessons soften their hearts, expand their minds, and strengthen their spirits, and who recognize God's Sovereign ability to direct their paths with His guidance who find themselves being led through amazing, powerful, often stunning examples of His grace and blessing.

They’re keepers.

Anyone can tell you what you want to hear and many do.

Be honest.  You don’t respect them much.  In fact, you likely don’t much enjoy their company, do you?

Your pride can take some solid body blows from the other few we’re talking about.  But the ones you secretly admire and are willing to hang around are the ones from whom you know you will receive truth.

Why?

You grow when you’re around them.  What you talk about builds you both up.

And what’s not to like about that? Well, unless you're like our fingers-in-ears character who exemplifies Proverbs 22:5... "The perverse travel a dangerous road, potholed and mud-slick; if you know what's good for you, stay clear of it." (MSG)

You'll likely find him in the ditch somewhere, still fuming about his well-meaning friend trying to set things straight between them.

© D. Dean Boone October 2026