‘No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.’ 1 Corinthians 10:13

Be encouraged by the following story.

Man in the Park Angel Story - by Brian Shafer.

I was 23 years old and on top of the world! My bride of 3 months comes home from work early and told me we will be having a baby! WOW! I was the happiest man in the world! Well, the story doesn't go "and they lived happily ever after."

About four weeks later she got ill. Very ill. Her doctor told her she just had morning sickness. We went along with that for about a month until she got worse. She could hardly get out of bed! I finally convinced the doctor to come by and he said she had pneumonia. He immediately admitted her into the hospital for treatment for pneumonia. Believe me, people, when they say get a second opinion!

Two weeks later she was not getting better when I sought a second opinion. My loving wife of only three months was diagnosed with CANCER! Her suffering was short as she and my child (and part of me) died three days later. Needless to say my life fell apart. I couldn't work. I couldn't sleep. I couldn't eat. I couldn't function at all. I knew my life was over and felt no need not prolong the suffering that saw me every day just simmering in my own self-pity.

I went to a local park that my wife and I went to often for walks when we talked about our future together. I sat there in the park for a couple of hours and, to be honest (and I will leave out any details), I was not planning on leaving the location. Just about that time a middle aged man (whom I had never met before) came up, sat down next to me, and put his arm around me. The man in the park said only a few words to me that I repeat every day that help me get through life's hard times.

He said, "You know, He doesn't give you anything that you can't handle."

I literally fell apart and wept openly for several minutes. I have never cried so hard in all my life. I felt like the biggest weight had been lifted off of my shoulders. The man in the park was an angel telling that God will be with me. I stood back up and felt just a little bit taller and stronger than just a few minutes before. The man from the park gave me a reassuring embrace before leaving without so much as an introduction. These words were given to me in my darkest hour and I gladly lend them to whomever might be in need of them at any time. Please don't forget them!

Write them down if need be and set them on your desk at work (your boss might even think the sign is referring to him). As I look back on the situation 12 years later I know that was the turning point of my life. I now am married to a wonderful woman that I love very much. I have two wonderful children that are a blessing, to say the least. The man in the park . . . was he an angel sent to me in my time of need?

I HAVE NO DOUBT WHATSOEVER!