"Real freedom is being free of fear!"
Those who know me well would probably describe me as "real". I hope so! I've never been good at pretending. Nor have I ever been accused of holding back personal opinions, of which there are many! If I am thinking something, it will likely come out of my mouth, long before I've had time to think about the wisdom in holding my tongue or keeping said opinions to myself! The old saying- "What you see is what you get" must have been coined by someone just after meeting me! :-)
So on that note, I'll just be honest!... This has likely been the hardest year of my life. I'd like to believe that another year like this one will never darken my horizon again, but I'm learning with age that life is lived in seasons.... ever changing, but predictable. It would be foolish of me to sell my "winter clothes", thinking I won't face another blustery, cold season like this one again. But I'll admit that I am enjoying the spring flowers blooming in my heart these days and this season seems especially wonderful after the suffering of such a long winter! I feel such unexplainable joy! And I feel a sense of freedom that I have never known before! How, I've wondered, is that possible when the past year has included more tears than all of the previous years put together; when even today the ground beneath us is beginning to quake; and the future with Rachel holds absolutely no guarantees of a happy ending?
In reading this, you'd likely never guess that as I type, I have my cell phone nearby... For almost 5 months now, it has never left my side! I'm waiting for a phone call to finally bring news that a heart has been donated that will ultimately save the life of my precious daughter Rachel. Because my days are filled with her sweet, happy spirit, it is easy for me to be lulled into believing that she is perfectly "fine"... not living on borrowed time- each day- each breath a miracle! But lest you think I am living with my head stuck firmly in the sand, I can assure you that I have never been more keenly aware of how incredibly fragile life is... for Rachel, of course, but for each and every one of us too! The sweet joy I'm feeling these days can only be explained by the overwhelming grace I have found in my relationship with Christ and the sweet realization that with Him, I have nothing to fear! "If God is for us, who can be against us?" How sweet to know that God is for us!
In taking a deep look inside my own heart, I am discovering that the benefits of such a long winter season of the soul is a wonderful new freedom from fear that I have not known before. I didn't even know that I was afraid! But a careful, introspective inventory revealed some life-long fears that it was high time I stood "toe to toe" with. There are simply some things in my life that I hold onto with a tight grip. My kids would top the list... just below them is my husband... then the secure home we've built, filled with treasures I've accumulated over the years. God seems to be in the business of prying my fingers, one by one, off of those special treasures these days!
God has allowed me to realize some of my deepest fears over the past year. In some ways, their realization was even worse than I expected. And during the darkest days, if I would have had the power to do something to change my circumstances, you can bet I would have!!! But God was doing a work in my heart that would likely not have occurred any other way. Now that the tears have dried, and my vision is clearer, I can see how faithfully the Lord was teaching me about Himself. I had spent many years speaking around the country about the sufficiency of Christ. My mantra became "God + Nothing = Everything". Tonight as I type this post, I am more fully convinced of that truth than ever before. And suddenly I realize that I have nothing to fear anymore. I am free! God has proven to be the faithful God I've always heard about, but now truly KNOW! "If God is for us, who can be against us?" If I've learned anything through facing my fears, it is this... God is for us!!!
A cold wind swept through our home again last week. Doug was notified that the church where he has been working part time for the past year has decided to "let him go". We have just months to find another job to provide 65% of our income and the medical insurance that has covered Rachel's care since coming home from China last September. And yet, I am not afraid! I refuse to worry about something so much bigger than I can handle! I will choose to trust God instead. "But if God is for us, who can be against us?" If I've learned anything through the losses of this year, it is this... God is for us!
Rachel did not come to us with any promises attached. We have been asked more times than I can count if we "knew what we were getting into" with Rachel's adoption. Yes... we knew! But with God's help we stared fear in the face and did it anyway! The sheer joy and love for life she has brought into our home in spite of her horrendous beginnings are nothing short of miraculous! Fear could have stolen this precious treasure without us even knowing what we'd missed! And even today, my fears could literally taunt me, if I let them! Will a heart arrive in time or will you have to face the loss of another child? But I refuse to worry about something so much bigger than I can handle! I will choose to trust God instead. "But if God is for us, who can be against us?" If I've learned anything through the adoption of Rachel, it is this... God is for us!
I am certain about one thing! Nothing in life is certain! But I refuse to worry about things I can certainly not handle! I will choose to trust God instead. "If God is for us, who can be against us?" There are just no "if"s about it!... God is for us!!!
"Whom have I in heaven but you? And on earth there is nothing I desire beside you? My heart and my flesh may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever!" Psalm 73
What a beautiful post, Lori. You are seeing God's goodness in the land of the living. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful testimony of God's faithfulness. Praying that Doug gets a job soon - and You get that call!
ReplyDeleteHugs and prayer. We have been wondering and praying for you. Praying that the most incredible opportunity presents itself for your husband and family
ReplyDeletePraying for you and your family. Hoping a job will be soon on the horizon and a the call of a lifetime!
ReplyDeleteI could have written this post as we too go through a winter of the soul. I think we are actually in Antarctica at this point. More tears in the last six weeks than ever in my life! I too "forget" how great of a battle we are in for Dennis' life. However, God is here with us. Providing before we knew there was a need and will continue to provide. Like you we also face serious financial changes in addition to the health issues but God...
ReplyDeletePraying for you all. Our pastor spoke this week on how God sometimes delivers us from trials and other times he delivers us through them. It was an awesome message. www.doorcreekchurch.org
What a beautiful post! As moms of heart girls we see the precious moments of each day we are given. Even if the story doesn't end the way we might have chosen, I wouldn't trade these blessed days for the world! Praying for Rachel's heart to arrive soon and for your family as you continue to wait through this season.
ReplyDelete