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| Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished. Luke 1:45 Hello... I know we are supposed to be talking about prayer this month but...I wanted to talk about something else. When a blessing might not look like a blessing. That's right. There are times when the blessing we receive from God looks like anything but a blessing. Why do I want to talk about this? Well, let me tell you a story... On February 17, I was in Big Bear, CA with my family. We woke up to 6 inches of fresh power all over the ground. Of course, my husband, who loves to ski, bounded out of bed and rousted the kids. Fresh power is a big deal in Southern California...it is not something we get all too often. Well, the kids were not as excited to get up and out early...in fact, they didn't want to go. So, mommy, feeling sick and sensing that for some reason I should stay home ignored that feeling and went anyway. I didn't want the kids to miss out on such a great day of skiing and if I decided to stay home, they would have stayed too. The morning was like any other...beautiful...the fresh snow sparkled in the sunlight. It was truly breathtaking. And then just three runs into the morning, I decided to venture down a gentle slope in between groomed runs that had about a foot of power. I made it no more than two feet when I felt a tremendous pop in my right leg. I feel to the ground screaming...I just knew I had broken my leg. My husband rushed to my side and the children raced to the ski lift to get help. It seemed like I laid in the snow for eternity...crying, praying, completely out of my mind in pain. I couldn't move my right leg...it was frightening. My husband prayed, and yelled at passing skiers overhead on the lift to get help. Finally, help arrived...and the journey down the mountain behind a snow mobile, strapped to a back board began. All I could do was think..."man...something told me to stay home...God you know I have tons to do. I have an event this weekend, I have a retreat next weekend, not to mention children and a husband who need me. I prayed God don't let my leg be broken...let it be something that won't completely side line me. Well, turns out I dislocated my hip. Yes it hurts, and yes it still hurts but...God has been faithful to me and has blessed me through this experience. First, I'm not in a hospital. It's hard to walk, and I can't drive but I am mobile. A fracture appeared on the original x-ray of my hip but in the second x-ray seemed to have disappeared...an answer to prayer, or a smudge on an x-ray...you tell me. God has provided in huge ways during this time. My friends, Tom, Carolyn, Stacey, Ann, Elly, Laure, Nancy, Beth, and Linda...have been here to drive me, to bring me meals, to pray for me, to pick up my kids from school, to drive me to the doctor. My husband has taken off work, His owners have been amazing, and his colleagues have offered to help in any way possible. Women from all over the country have called me and prayed for me. It has been humbling. This has been a growth time for me because I have always been hesitant to accept help from friends because I have always been the strong one. I was always the first one to offer help, but to accept it was a different story. There is a huge blessing in knowing people care about you and want to help...pride keeps us from that blessing...at least it did me. God has ministered out of my weakness. I have been able to go to events and teach and it has been a powerful experience for me. Paul was right...in our weakness His power is made perfect. I want to operate out of a place of weakness all the time. Since I haven't been able to do anything but sit, I have found tons of time to write during the day and study...and when the kids get home...boy do I get tons of love and kisses. I've even gotten a pass on housekeeping (not that I am much of a housekeeper). God has been all in this experience. The blessing...my leg is not broke, and my hip will heal. But the bigger blessing is that God has revealed Himself to me in huge ways...He has humbled me to a place of weakness so that I may receive the blessing of love and support offered unselfishly by my friends. He has drawn me closer, answering my prayers, and growing my faith. Here is what I want you to know...God is in every situation in our lives...even the painful ones. If we will look, if we will ask, He will show us a blessing in every situation and circumstance if we will believe that He works all things for our good. 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 I believe that and now more than ever I am blessed by it. What situation in your life do you need to ask God to show you the blessing? Are you looking for His hand moving in the details of your life? Trust me He is there and if you look you will see Him. God thank you that you bless you. Thank you that you can make any and every situation turn out for good. Thank you that you long to show us your goodness and your mercy. Help us see you in the details. In Jesus Name, Amen Love you guys, CJ |
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