[Editor’s Note: We interrupt our regularly scheduled programming for a few deep thoughts that have been rolling around in my head. Don’t worry – I won’t become philosophical in every post. 🙂 ]
With the recent circumstances in our life (read more here) I have been thinking about others who have to walk through challenges and how they cope. Many times when difficulties come into our lives we ask “Why?” and if we are people of faith we are probably asking God this question.
When my daughter was hit by a minivan last week I actually didn’t think to ask why it happened. I was just so grateful that she is alive and I absolutely trust God and know that He has our best interests at heart. I know with certainty that He did not cause the accident, nor did He want the accident to happen.
I also know that because He is a loving God He will use the circumstances for good.
We now know more details about what happened that evening and one of the points that stands out the most is that two witnesses say that my daughter flew off the minivan approximately 8 feet and hit the pavement. She was so far away from the van the paramedics thought someone had moved her.
There is absolutely no reason that she should not have brain damage and multiple broken bones including spinal injuries. Some of the doctors we worked with said she could easily have died —
except God.
I know without a shadow of doubt that God protected her. As a matter of fact, on the Saturday before the accident I was compelled to physically stop what I was doing on three separate occasions in order to pray protection over my daughter. At the time my youngest was away at a youth retreat and I thought that I was praying for her. The day after the accident God reminded me of those prayers and the fact that I had prayed for “my daughter”, not using a name, and showed me that those prayers were for my 17 year old.
So if God protected her from the most severe injuries, why did He not protect her from the accident altogether? Why would a loving God allow a young woman to go through such a traumatic event?
I may never know the full answer to that question but in talking with my daughter I discovered something interesting. For the past few weeks she has been afraid of being hit by a car while riding her bicycle. She is also afraid of hospitals and doctors because of some bad experiences when she was younger. Her fear loomed larger than her relationship with God.
In I John 4:16-18 we read that God IS love and in verse 18 says:
“There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love.”  — The Message
When fear has power over our minds and hearts we are hindered from receiving God’s love and He wants us to receive EVERYTHING He has for us. I believe that God is allowing my daughter to go through this difficult time in order to reveal more of His love to her and to completely conquer the power of fear over her life so that she can be free to be all that He has created her to be…
 and He is walking through everything with us.
I don’t know the plans that God has for my daughter but I do know that He is a loving God who HAS a plan for my daughter. He wants to have a deep, intimate, personal relationship with her, with me and with you. As we walk through life’s challenges we can be assured that He is with us and He will never leave.
“Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
I will not fear for You are with me.”
Thank you for your encouragement Sharon! I pray that you will have God’s grace, peace and comfort as you care for your mother. Blessings!
Thank you for your prayers Katherine!
Thank you Kristine!
I love this post. It is so encouraging to read about the peace you have during this traumatic time. I really appreciate you sharing about your hope and faith. Continued thoughts and prayers for you all!
Thank you Kristine!
What a beautiful testimony! I’m praying with you for your daughter’s complete and rapid recovery, from all the things in her life that need healing. You have shown me very powerfully how important it is for us as parents never to stop praying for our children, and especially, that we should listen to the strange little reminders that stop us in our tracks. Pray. Pray now. Pray for your children. Thank you for sharing.
You can be philosophical ALL the time. As John Lennon said: Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans. Your testimony of faith and love for your family shines like a bright light. Keep in mind the community that you have built is behind you all the way. And we are all struggling with the big heartfelt issues, in my case it is my elderly mother.
I am so sorry that you have been through such a trial but I love that you have a positive attitude about it. Blessings to you Patricia!
My thoughts and prayers are with your family. Thank you for helping me with my thoughts and fears! You have made my day better!
I am so glad Paula! Thank you for taking the time to let me know. 🙂
This is why I love your blog. You are so personal with all of us here and I love that. I love your testimony. Thank you for sharing and reminding us of our Father’s love in heaven for us. Your family is in our prayers for healing of your daughter and comfort to you and your family. Again, thank you for letting us be part of your extended family.
My pleasure KSue! Thanks for being such an encouragement to me. 🙂
Kimberlee , God says he will never leave or forsake us. Your testimony reminded me of thatand I constantly have to be reminded of that . I thank you for your courage , I pray for strength and healing. Keep looking up!
Thank you Donna!
Loooooove this!!!!! xo
Thanks Rachel!
thank you for sharing. I’ve heard of others feeling compelled to pray for their children, like you had that day, and then something like this happens. I love how positive you are and hope if I’m ever in a similar situation I’ll follow in the footsteps you’ve shared. God bless you and your family!
Thank you so much for your encouragement Justeen!
Wow Kimberlee, what an amazing testimony. The details reveal how miraculous the situation truly is.
It really is amazing Claire!
I was diagnosed w/breast cancer at the end of May, had double mastectomies, and just had my last chemo treatment yesterday. Now l just have to go once every three weeks to get a maintenance drug until next July. I’ve pretty much been an unemotional person most of my life so l know that my lesson has to be in compassion. My motto has become, “there’s always someone who had it worse”. When l hear people at the cancer center talk about how they’re only on their 1st or 2nd treatment & are so weak that the only time they get out of bed or off the couch is when they have to go to chemo. I just started feeling very weak & am having a hard time walking since the treatment before this last one. Plus l still go to work. I am truly grateful for my strength, for now having the ability to feel compassion & empathy for those around me, for having the faith to know l’ll be alright!! And it’s not just feeling something in my heart when l hear the others talk, it’s also feeling for the nurse whose son has Musclular Distrophy or finding humor instead of anger at the gentleman who was afraid to shake my hand & only pressed my index finger w/his forefinger & thumb – even though he initiated the handshake! I have so much to be grateful for – all because of this cancer. “There’s always someone who has it worse!”
Hi Patricia,
I’m so sorry for what you are going through. I was diagnosed with breast cancer 10 years ago. Today I am healthy, happy, and aside from the scars from my surgeries, life is completely back to normal. I pray it will be the same for you. I want to share a poem that gave me a lot of comfort during my treatments: (The Weaver by Grant Colfax Tuller)
My life is but a weaving
Between the Lord and me…
I may not choose the colors;
He knows what they should be;
For He can view the pattern
Upon the upper side,
While I can see it only,
on this, the under side.
Sometimes He weaveth sorrow
which seems strange to me;
But I will trust His judgment
And work on faithfully.
‘Tis He who fills the shuttle;
He knows just what is best;
So I shall weave in earnest
And leave with Him the rest.
Not till the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly,
Shall God unroll the canvas,
And explain the reasons why
the dark threads are as needful,
in the weaver’s skillful hand,
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned.
That was very beautiful! I think we all question God and even feel mad at Him at times if we are to be truthful. But then we remember that He is all good and is working things out for our good. He is trustworthy! I asked God why I broke my ankle too. I asked Him to please let me learn whatever it is he wants me to learn through it all. I am learning some things.
Thanks Julie – I hope you have a very speedy recovery!
I love your perspective on all of this. You really do see God in all things which is right, but sometimes hard, to do. Thanks for sharing this.
Thank you Trisha!
Thank you for sharing this! Just what I needed to be reminded of today. 🙂
My pleasure Tabatha! Thanks for letting me know. 🙂
Thank you for sharing this! Just what I needed to be reminded of today. 🙂
My pleasure Tabatha! Thanks for letting me know. 🙂