I have to ask myself how I can possibly expect to know Jesus as he would want to be known if my life remains unscathed by trouble and grief.

My version, of course, is not this flag-waving, let's all get on the Jesus train and ride out of hell. I'm not that kind of guy. It's an embrace that life is good, worth living and yeah, it's not easy, but there are more pluses than minuses.