Jesus, Marcus Garvey, Billie Holiday, Marvin Gaye, Muhammad Ali, President Barack Obama and our mothers, collectively, are examples of individuals who played with pain to give salvation, pride, excitement, joy, confidence, inspiration and hope. Pain is as much a part of life as joy; it is an unavoidable reality of life. We are at our best, though, when we are able to turn pain into gain, suffering into success, depths into heights. It's possible: It's been done throughout the annuls of history. So when you go through life’s challenges, remember: You must be able to carry the cross in order to wear the crown.

-- The Rev. Conrad B. Tillard
  Nazarene Congregational Church
  Brooklyn, NY