Time and time again God provides my daily bread. Why do I worry over the future when He so generously gives me what I need for the day? I'd like to share with you a piece by Elizabeth Elliot that I read during my quiet time a few days ago. It is amazing how God knew what I needed to hear and provided just that. I have decided not to paraphrase but write the piece in it's entirety hoping that it will bless you as it has me.
"My friend Judy Squier of Portola Valley, California, is one of the most cheerful and radiant women I know. I met her first in a prayer meeting at the beginning of a conference. She was sitting in a wheel chair, and I noticed something funny about her legs. Later that day I saw her with no legs at all. In the evening she was walking around with crutches. Of course I had to ask her some questions. She was born with no legs; she had artificial ones which she used sometimes, but they were tiresome, she said (laughing) and she often left them behind. When I heard of a little baby boy named Brandon Scott, born without arms or legs, I asked if she would write to his parents. She did:
'The first thing I would say is that all that this entails is at least one hundred times harder on the parents than the child. A birth defect by God's grace does not rob a childhood of its wonder, nor is a child burdened by high expectations. Given a supportive, creative, and loving family, I know personally that I enjoyed not a less-than-average life nor an average life, but as I've told many, my life has been not ordinary but extraordinary.
I am convinced without a doubt that a loving Heavenly Father oversees the creative miracles in the inner sanctum of each mother's womb (Psalm 139), and that in His sovereignty there are no accidents.
What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the Creator calls a butterfly. As humanity we see only the imperfect, underside of God's tapestry of our lives. What we judge to be 'tragic-the most dreaded thing that could happen,' I expect we'll one day see as the awesome reason for the beauty and uniqueness of our life and our family. I think that's why James 1:2 is a favorite verse of mine. Phillips' translation put it this way: 'when all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives, my brothers, don't resent them as intruders but welcome them as friends.'
I love Joni Eareckson Tada's quote. When I saw it on the front of Moody Monthly, October 1982, I was convinced she'd penned the words of my epitaph. Now my husband David is aghast to hear me say I want it on my tombstone! Glory be!
"People with disabilities are God's best visual aids to demonstrate who He really is. His power shows up best in weakness. And who by the world's standards is weaker that the mentally or physically disabled? As the world watches, these people persevere. They live, love, trust and obey Him. Eventually the world is forced to say, "How great their God must be to inspire this kind of loyalty."
Being a Christian didn't shield my family from the pain and tears that came with my birth defect. In fact, ten years ago when David and I interviewed our parents for a Keepsake Tape, I was stunned to hear my mother's true feelings. I asked her to tell the hardest thing in her life. Her response: "the day Judy Ann was born and it still is..." And yet when we as a family look back over the years, our reflections are invariably silenced by the wonder of God's handiwork. Someday I hope to put it in a book and I know it will be to the glory of God.
Getting married and becoming a mother were dreams I never dared to dream, but God, the doer of all miracles intended that my life be blessed with an incredible husband and three daughters. Emily is nine, Betsy will soon be seven, and Naphtalie Joy is four. I've decided that every handicapped person needs at least one child. They are fantastic helpers and so willing to let me 'borrow their legs' when I need help.
You as a family have been chosen in a special way to display His unique Masterwork. I pray that your roots of faith will grow deep down into the faithfulness of God's Loving Plan, that you will exchange your inadequacy for the Adequacy of Jesus' resurrection power, and that you will be awed as you witness the fruits of the Spirit manifested in your family.'"
5 comments:
As usual, seems I'm the first "commenter". Oh MY GOODNESS!!!! All of that is tremendous - what you read and posted for the rest of us to read.
I am reminded of when I had moved to B'ham as a single female and was attending a get together at someone's apartment. I was new to the city and had not yet found a roommate. There was a girl with an obvious physical disability. Her body was unusually short and unusually twisted. She moved about with short crutches and I repeat, "she moved about". She was in and out of conversation groups with a confidence and spark and joy that I envied. Her countenance and spirit were infectious and I mingled into a group where she was conversing. I remember thinking how much I wished she could be my roommate. It was a particularly "low confidence", "low self esteem" period in my life and I wanted "what she had". Both of us believers, yet she didn't seem to be carrying all the baggage that I was carrying.
Anyway - your posted story reminded me of that girl. I've never forgotten her.
Elizabeth
hi esther i know we have only met a few times, i just wanted to say how kind of God to give us such timely words!
You are perfectly fitted to be this little angel's mommy and i am truly happy for you and would love to live closer so that i could be around your infectious joy and awareness of Christ!
Praying much for you!
That is awesome! What great words of encouragement! Hope y'all have fun this weekend!
Power, Prayer, Faith & Trust! One cannot happen with out the other. This lady is truly strength while she recognizes that everyday is not easy but with God ALL things are possible. Thank you for sharing and my thoughts and prayers are always with you guys. My sister in law is due September 7th, so I don't think too far after you.
Be blessed and congrats! I can't wait to meet Miss Charlotte :)
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