By Lynna Clark

Poor Kevin. He is not well. See him leaning over on the bird bath? He’s been a little droopy lately, so I stood him back up. While he nodded his head in approval, a wasp popped me on the leg. That’s okay. It was a small price to pay to help a friend.

Hannah and I walked by Kevin a few days later and he had fallen all the way over. Bless his heart. Those dang squirrels must’ve knocked him on his face again. Hannah reached down to lift him back up when a whole swarm of wasps flew out. They popped her good! Turns out Kevin had a secret.

Deep inside his coconut heart was a large wasp nest. Kevin was full of trouble.

Quite a few years back I tried to help a lady who was going through a terrible time. She lashed out so hatefully that I had to wonder what brought on her wrath. The pastor where I worked observed the ruckus and said these wise words:

“Hurting people often hurt others.”

It didn’t make me feel any better. Crazy woman, now we both hurt. What’s up with your bad self? But I started noticing a pattern.

My pastor friend was right. Those who hurt others are usually hiding a great deal of pain themselves.

But I’ve also found the opposite to be true. Some of the sweetest comfort I’ve ever received has been from those who’ve experienced great pain or loss.

Maybe it’s about how we process our suffering.

An old saying that bears repeating is this.

“Trials will either make us bitter or better.”

You’ll be happy to know that Kevin is better. His demons were exorcised with a large can of wasp spray. Thanks David.

Now Kevin is back to nodding his head and happily making those who pass his way smile again.