Slow Cooking

Jana looked out the window as a tear slid down her cheek. She watched silently as the other kids laughed and played in the snow.

Her brother Caleb saw her and threw a snowball. She giggled in spite of herself as it softly hit the window. Sighing, she turned away and slowly wheeled herself into the kitchen. "What are you making, Mom?"

"Supper," Mom said.

Jana raised her eyebrows and looked at the clock. "At nine in the morning?"

"Yes," said Mom. "But I think a better question would be what's causing these tears." She wiped away a tear from Jana's cheek.

"Oh, Mom," Jana said, "I just don't understand why my illness has lasted so long. Why doesn't God take away my pain and weakness? The other kids who were in the hospital with me are already doing better. I know He could heal me!" The last words came out in a little sob.

Mom was silent for a few minutes as she continued to prepare supper. She carefully lowered the meat into a slow cooker, covered it, and set it on low. Then she s