"And we know that in all things God works for the
good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28, [NIV]
It had been a longer-than-usual week thanks to my
husband’s travel schedule. He had been on several trips with only a day or two
home, and they were taking a toll on all of us. What I didn’t know as the week
started was that our daughter was late taking critical meds, and by doing so,
all her systems slowed to a near stop.
By mid-week she was manifesting physical consequences
that gave her pain and setbacks. At 14 with some learning delays, she
understood there were things about her that were different than her peers. She
has to take medicines and supplements that they did not. She goes to the
hospital for regular blood work. It’s important we monitor her food and drink
intake while her friends appear to have no boundaries when it comes to what
they are allowed to have. She was frustrated.
I was, too.
Since her chronic sickness her first year that
included near death and doctor error, we decided as a family we would focus on
what she could accomplish, not what she could not. Through years of therapies
and specialists we reminded her everything about her has purpose. God has a
plan. When I grieved ten specialists diagnosing her immediately as needing a
special needs pre-school, my friend reminded me that direction might be a
ministry, and I should not worry about labels.
She was right. It was at that pre-school our daughter
became verbal, and was at times the only person other children would allow to
help them. Many were non-verbal and wanted her by their side. She even made up
a sign language, so she could communicate with a girl who could not hear.
Although the teachers needed both girls to use official sign language, it was
obvious God had a plan.
Those situations repeated in her life time and time
again. Her smile changed attitudes in classrooms and even in stores. Her
performances in creative arts in ministry reminded everyone in the audience
that nothing is impossible with Christ. With short term memory issues, she
taught herself a human video without any help. Over and over we’ve been in awe.
That night, as we held hands and prayed for a
breakthrough with her pain, she was determined to break through the
frustration, too. With that smile she said, “At least this has purpose, right?”
I stood there for a moment, unable to speak. My tears
were from wanting to take her pain away, from the anger that she has to deal
with these things anyway, and that after all these years, the student has
become the teacher. She was completely right.
She reminded me that the week wasn’t a cruel joke God
was enjoying. He had reason for it, and she was seeking Him for answers and
healing. That she wanted to take every opportunity to advance God’s Kingdom for
His glory by sharing her story and His goodness.
If you are struggling with a setback, a diagnosis, or
surprise circumstances, please don’t believe God has abandoned you or that this
is a joke at your expense. As our daughter reminded us, everything has purpose.
What we call broken places will become a beautiful mosaic with a perfect
audience you can show your brokenness to. They will appreciate everything you
share because they will relate to your story.
Everything has purpose.
Prayer: Father,
for those who are feeling frustrated, I ask that You give them Your strength,
resources, and peace so that they can see that even this situation has purpose.
That You can take the hardest thing and change lives and bring glory to Your
Kingdom. Even Job understood You were not joking with him or enjoying his pain,
but that You had greater good for him. May we believe You for all things in our
lives. In the precious name of Jesus, Amen.
About Engaged:
Trish Maxwell’s back in Speculator Falls with egg on her face and a lot of apologies to make. She left the mountain town for her dream job in New York City, only to come back unemployed. With no prospects, she works at her mom’s department store and makes amends as she finds a new passion creating window displays for Adirondack businesses. She works hard and tries to convince the people of Speculator Falls she’s changed for the better.
As Trish pitches in with community events, she meets paramedic Wayne Peterson, the one man who doesn’t seem to judge her. She even makes friends with Jenna Regan, who helps Trish when people demand to know what’s next in Trish’s life. Living in New York City has been her goal, but the more she’s around Wayne and the Adirondack area, the more she’s drawn to revising her plans. Just when Trish thinks the plan for her life’s coming together, a second chance comes her way that could give her every career goal she’s ever wanted, but threaten to tear her and Wayne apart. Can Trish surrender fears about her future and discover God’s plan for her?
About Julie
Julie Arduini loves to encourage readers to surrender
the good, the bad, and ---maybe one day---the chocolate. She’s the author of
ENTRUSTED: Surrendering the Present, ENTANGLED:
Surrendering the Past, and ENGAGED: Surrendering the Future. FINDING FREEDOM
THROUGH SURRENDER is her 30 day devotional using the surrender themes and characters
from the series. She also shares her story in the infertility devotional, A
WALK IN THE VALLEY. She blogs every other Wednesday for Christians Read, and also is a
blogger for Inspy Romance. She resides
in Ohio with her husband and two children. Learn more by visiting her at http://juliearduini.com, where she invites
readers to subscribe to her monthly newsletter full of resources and giveaway
opportunities.
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