I woke up this morning to a flat tire and a van that wouldn't start. I was running around thinking I was having a bad day. I was feeling pretty bad for myself. Then I found myself talking to a woman who had just lost her 24 year old daughter.
This is a woman I have known a very long time and I haven't seen her since her daughter's passing. I asked her how she was doing, her answer was shocking. She said, "I miss my daughter very much and losing her changed my life. She is still with us, we just carry her differently now. Every morning I stop and thank God for Jesus, for without Him I would be crumpled in a ball on the ground, but because of my faith I can stand here and smile and talk about my daughter and celebrate her." She even reaches out to parents who find themselves in the same situation. She uses her broken road to minister to others. She leads parents who have lost a child to Jesus. I don't have words for how courageous and strong she is because she leans completely on Him.
Everything that had happened to me today just slipped away. I realized that on my worst day I have Christ on my side and by my side. And by NO stretch of the imagination was this my worst day. The grace and faith shown to me by this woman who has so recently had her world turned upside down was eye opening.
All of a sudden I found myself thanking the Lord with every fiber of my being for my broken van which led me to the repair shop where I found this sweet woman. He knew I needed a sorting out. He knew my soul needed reminding of just how awesome His power is. So if you would, stop what you're doing right now and say a prayer of thanks for a powerful, loving, God who never leaves any of us. And for Him to continue working in this beautiful woman's life. Maybe, also, give your babies an extra snuggle tonight.
This is a woman I have known a very long time and I haven't seen her since her daughter's passing. I asked her how she was doing, her answer was shocking. She said, "I miss my daughter very much and losing her changed my life. She is still with us, we just carry her differently now. Every morning I stop and thank God for Jesus, for without Him I would be crumpled in a ball on the ground, but because of my faith I can stand here and smile and talk about my daughter and celebrate her." She even reaches out to parents who find themselves in the same situation. She uses her broken road to minister to others. She leads parents who have lost a child to Jesus. I don't have words for how courageous and strong she is because she leans completely on Him.
Everything that had happened to me today just slipped away. I realized that on my worst day I have Christ on my side and by my side. And by NO stretch of the imagination was this my worst day. The grace and faith shown to me by this woman who has so recently had her world turned upside down was eye opening.
All of a sudden I found myself thanking the Lord with every fiber of my being for my broken van which led me to the repair shop where I found this sweet woman. He knew I needed a sorting out. He knew my soul needed reminding of just how awesome His power is. So if you would, stop what you're doing right now and say a prayer of thanks for a powerful, loving, God who never leaves any of us. And for Him to continue working in this beautiful woman's life. Maybe, also, give your babies an extra snuggle tonight.
The very best thing I've read today! God is so good!
ReplyDelete