We're Gonna Make It!

Today, my students were reading a story about a man who found himself in a fishing boat that was sinking.  The termites had quickly begun eating the wood of the boat, compromising the hull.  Instead of immediately trying to find a solution to the problem at hand, he began to panic.  In fact, his first remark was, “We’re not going to make it.”  Eventually, he made an attempt to fix the gaping hole in the hull of the boat, and they made it safely to the shore.  By overcoming his fears, he managed to emerge victorious.

While this is simply a children’s story, I feel that it applies to our everyday lives as well.  So often we find ourselves in difficult situations, uncertain of what we should do.  We become frustrated and our ability to think clearly fades significantly.  Many times, our first inclination is to give up.  That is the easy way out.  Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  With Christ on our side, we don’t have to admit defeat.  Instead, we can confidently declare, “We’re gonna make it!”

How many times this week have you said, “I can’t?”  If you’re like me, I’m sure these two infamous words have graced your lips at least once.  As humans, we are imperfect.  We struggle and sometimes we fail.  But even when we face difficult times, we can rest assured that everything will be alright.  Romans 8:28 tells us that “All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.”  Bear in mind that this does not mean that everything will be good.  Instead, it means that everything we do will work together for our good.  God will never leave us hanging.  If we trust Him, He will ensure that our lives fit perfectly into His perfect will and His plan for our lives.

What struggles are you going through at this very moment in your life?  Are you trying desperately to lose weight?  Is it becoming more and more difficult to pay your bills each month?  Do you worry daily about someone in your family who is going through a physical or emotional battle?  I want to encourage you right now wherever you are.  God has not forgotten you.  He knows exactly what mountain you may be facing or what river you may be crossing.  Look around.  He is standing right next to you.  He will never let you fall.  He will help you remove all doubt.  Hold on to His hand and never, ever let go.

This world is ever-changing.  The news is full of sad, heart-wrenching stories of people around the world who are hurting, starving, or ailing.  There are those who are scared or depressed.  And some of them simply want to throw in the towel.   But even through the wars, famines, and destruction, we have a Hope that reaches beyond the most hopeless situations.  God’s hand is upon you and me.  He will be our Shelter from the storm.  He will catch us when we fall.  He will keep our ship afloat.  And no matter what comes our way, we can boldly proclaim, “We’re gonna make it!”

In Christ’s Love,

Jennifer

The Waiting Room

When was the last time you sat in a waiting room in the doctor’s office?  I want you to visualize the setting.  Perhaps the room was crowded, full of people you were sure carried multiple types of diseases.  The children sneezed and coughed profusely, never once covering their mouths.  You picked up a magazine to try to occupy your mind, only to find that it was the same magazine you already read cover-to-cover three months ago.  Sitting there, you wonder why you even made an appointment.  You still have to wait along with everyone else.  You’re probably getting sicker by the minute, being subjected to this germ-infested environment.  Just when you were about to throw in the towel and give up, the nurse opens the door and calls your name.

Life is a lot like a doctor’s waiting room.  Each day, there are difficulties we must face.  These struggles will often weigh us down, infecting us just like the germs that may be found in a doctor’s office.  The constant battles we have to fight cause us to grow impatient, much like someone who is waiting for an appointment that is overdue.  Just like the patients sitting in those uncomfortable straight-backed vinyl covered chairs, our names will soon be called.  Unlike the nurse who calls our names from a clipboard in her hand, our names will one day be read directly from the Lamb’s Book of Life.

I want to encourage you, if you are not certain that your name is written in this Heavenly Book, make today the day that you begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  Today could be the day that you are called from this temporary home to your permanent home on high.  Have you made your appointment?  If not, it’s not too late.  You have no guarantee that you will breathe another breath.  No man, woman, or child, young or old, has the certainty that tomorrow will even come.  Don’t wait until it’s too late.  Make your appointment for Heaven today.  Ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins, and ask Him to be the Lord of your life.  If you do, your life will never be the same.  And you will know that when your name is called, you will walk through Heaven’s gates to live eternally with the Lord.

This morning, I attended the memorial service for a young teenager whose name was called this past weekend.  There was little warning for her and her family.  She lost her life due to injuries sustained in a accident.  As I sat there, I continuously began to ask myself, “Why?”  Why did this young girl not have the opportunity to graduate high school, go to college, or get married?  Why was she taken from this earth at the young age of fourteen?  Why didn’t God spare her life?  Of course, I know I am not alone.  I’m sure that everyone in the sanctuary had similar questions on their mind.  While sorrow filled my heart, hearing the stories of her vibrant, yet short-lived life, I also felt peace in my heart.  You see, she knew Jesus as her personal Lord and Savior.  She made her appointment in Heaven long ago.  And I know that her name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, and I will see her again one day.

While we may not be able to comprehend why things like this happen, we can rest assured that God has everything under control.  He knows our hearts are sad.  He feels our pain.  He sees our tears.  Yet, He knows how our story ends.  Romans 8:28 (NIV) says, “In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  Notice this scripture does not say that all things are good.  Instead, it says that God will work everything together for our good.  Does this mean that we will never encounter a trial?  Does the scripture mean that we will never have a bad day?  No.  What it does mean is that God will take each trial and every single bad day and in His own special way, use them for our good.

You may be thinking, how could the death of a young girl be used for good?  I cannot answer this question.  Only God knows what the future will bring.  He knows our future and He knows our past.  And He is walking beside us right now, in the present, holding our hands as we stumble along the road of life.  Through every illness, tragedy, and even death, He will be our strength when we are weary, our peace when we are distressed, and our hope when we are hopeless.  Even in every moment of heartache, God has given us a promise that we can stake our lives on.  He has promised us that this earth, with all of its turmoil, is only temporary.  We are just passing through on our way to our eternal home, Heaven.  We won’t have to wait in this dreary waiting room much longer.  2 Corinthians 5:1-5 (The Message) says:

For instance, we know that when these bodies of ours are taken down like tents and folded away, they will be replaced by resurrection bodies in heaven—God-made, not handmade—and we'll never have to relocate our "tents" again. Sometimes we can hardly wait to move—and so we cry out in frustration. Compared to what's coming, living conditions around here seem like a stopover in an unfurnished shack, and we're tired of it! We've been given a glimpse of the real thing, our true home, our resurrection bodies! The Spirit of God whets our appetite by giving us a taste of what's ahead. He puts a little of heaven in our hearts so that we'll never settle for less.

If you want to experience the joy of knowing that this life is only temporary, don’t wait until tomorrow.  Don’t sit there in frustration, uncertain of where you will go when you die.  Don’t leave your family and friends wondering if they will see you again.  Don’t sit there miserable because you feel like you are a prisoner to this world of sorrow; instead, cling to the One who will restore your joy, set you free, and light the way home.  Jesus Christ will be a friend who is closer than a brother.  He will love you when you feel unlovable.  He will pick you up when you fall.  And best of all, if you have a personal relationship with Him, He will welcome you with open arms when your life on earth is done.  Don’t sit there, trying to remember if you made an appointment, growing agitated with the long wait.  Make your reservations and set your sights on Heaven until the day you make it home!

In Christ's Love,
Jennifer

A Cat Named Monkey

I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for furry little animals that need a home. Whether it is a dog’s tail wagging happily as she takes me for a walk (yes, you read that correctly, takes me!), or if it is the soothing sound of a cat purring as he lays beside me on the sofa, I am a pushover for these friendly creatures that God put on this earth. I guess you could say the real testament to my love for animals would be the fact that I currently have three cats, a dog, a rabbit, and two pygmy goats. There’s just something unexplainably wonderful about a four-legged animal that snuggles up against me and loves me unconditionally, no matter what.

It was just a couple of years ago that my youngest cat came to live with us. I adopted this particular cat when he was barely even weaned from his mother. The previous owner could not support all of the kittens in the litter and decided to go ahead and give them away to the first homes they could find. Just as you suspected, I was one of the first to respond. There was something about this particular kitten’s face that said, “You need me and I need you.” Pretty convincing, since we now have each other!

When we first got this cat, he would climb up the side of everything (even humans!), just like a monkey. And so, the name stuck. “Monkey,” as we affectionately call him, has essentially decided that I am his mother. He presses his head up against my hand, unwilling to back away. He purrs continuously, and like most people, thoroughly enjoys a full body massage. Still, there is one thing that he does not like. He does not like the moment when I must resume my daily responsibilities and leave his company. The moment I walk away from him, he is crushed. I’m telling you the truth! Every time, without fail, he howls in sadness that our “playtime” has ended for now. He just can’t bear the thought of being apart from me, even for a moment. The very notion of being out of my sight is heartbreaking for him.

This evening, as we concluded our daily routine of him pushing against me and me giving him a massage, he howled as I left his sight, just as he had so many times before. As I walked away and listened to his sorrowful cries, I thought of how much our Heavenly Father loves us and just how much He is grieved when one of His children leaves His embrace. Amazingly, though, Jesus continues to love us, whether we acknowledge Him or not. If we spend time with Him, He loves us. And in those times when we’re just “too busy” and do not have time for Him, Jesus Christ never once stops loving us.

Think about it. Jesus Christ loves you and me unconditionally. That means He loves us, no questions asked. He loves every single person on this planet: parents, grandparents, children, and grandchildren. He loves the drug addict, the alcoholic, the murderer. Jesus Christ does not discriminate. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you came from, Jesus Christ loves you. When you are running late for work and do not have time to say, “Good morning, Lord,” Jesus still loves you without fail. If you spend your evening watching television, leaving no time for reading His Word, He still loves you. Even if you have gone astray, whether for days, months, or years, Jesus loves you unconditionally, as though you had never even left His side. God’s Word says that there is not one thing in God’s Creation that “will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39 ESV). Nothing can come between you and the perfect love of Jesus.

Just like my cat named Monkey, Jesus Christ longs for us to stay at His side, so that we can live a life of true joy that is only found in Him. He loves hearing the voice of His children. He loves embracing us in His fatherly arms. He longs to have us hold his hand as we journey down the road of life, just as a child would hold the hand of their father. Why? Because we are loved by the One who forgives our sins, forgets our past, and forever loves each of us with a fervent, absolute love that has no end.

In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer

Flawed

Have you ever looked at someone else and thought, “Wow, they sure have a lot of flaws?” Perhaps their social skills were rusty and they talked way too loudly. Or maybe they needed to polish their personal hygiene regimen since it seemed their body odor lingered a mile away. It could be that the person you were examining simply had no ambition, unwilling to do anything productive with their life. Or they could be someone who has been given the gift of a family, yet they take their loved ones for granted. It is always easy to notice someone’s faults. Our tendency to focus on a person’s shortcomings often prevents us from seeing their true potential. Thankfully, God sees the potential in all of us. He looks past our overwhelming flaws and into the depths of our heart.

When I think of the word “flawed,” I think back to a program I recently saw on television titled, The Big Waste. The premise of the show was to reveal how much edible food is wasted in the United States each year. I was saddened to see the vast quantities of food that are thrown away every single day. Farmers leave behind mountains of edible items, produce stands discard anything with a blemish, and grocery stores throw away items even if they are only one day past their date. A few weeks later, I found myself purposefully choosing a not-so-perfect tomato at the grocery store, with the knowledge that it would likely be thrown away if I did not volunteer to take it home with me. But this tomato just had one bad spot and the rest was flawless.

This tomato has a lot in common with you and me. The last time you went to the produce section in the grocery store, were you able to find a perfectly round, spot-free tomato? There are tomatoes with warped shapes, soft spots, and blemishes that come in nearly every color of the rainbow. Finding the perfect tomato is virtually impossible. Just as you will not find the truly “perfect” tomato, you will not find a perfect human being either. Romans 3:23 (NIV) says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” God’s Word doesn’t say that one or two people have sinned. It says that we have all sinned. None of us are perfect. Not one of us is without blemish. All of us have imperfections; all of us are flawed in some way. But because of God’s unmerited favor, He loves us, despite our many flaws.

I am reminded of the woman in the Bible who had committed adultery. She was sentenced to be stoned as a result of her actions. Jesus did not condemn her, but instead, He said to those gathered around her, “‘Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her’” (John 8:7 NIV). People began, one by one, to walk away. Soon, everyone was gone, except Jesus and this woman. Jesus questioned her, “‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’” (John 8:10 NIV). Upon seeing no one, she told Jesus that no one was there to condemn her. “‘Then neither do I condemn you,’ Jesus declared. ‘Go now and leave your life of sin’” (John 8:11 NIV). You see, Jesus didn’t approve of her actions. But He saw beyond her outward appearance and sinful choices. He knew that she had potential. He knew that she was not past repair. He knew that her imperfections could be erased through the unfailing grace of God.

Are you in a similar situation in your life? Have you done something that you feel is unforgiveable? Maybe you are like the woman who committed adultery, or maybe you are physically or verbally abusing someone else. Or perhaps you lied to a friend, or you may be struggling with an addiction to drugs, alcohol, or some other negative influence on your life. It doesn’t matter what you have done. It doesn’t matter where you have been. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you came from. Jesus Christ loves you. He wants you to know that through God’s unmerited favor and everlasting grace, you are loved. You are adored by the Savior of the world, even with your spots, blemishes, and imperfections. Just like each shiny or not-so-shiny red tomato, Jesus created you as a unique, special individual. Sure, you may be flawed, but to God, you are perfect.

In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer

Keep On Keeping On

Do you ever encounter a difficult situation and wish you could simply run away?  Or do you face it head on, trying not think about what is going on around you?  Sadly, there are moments in time when we cannot run away from rough weeks, trying days, and emotionally draining hours.  In these times of sadness and despair, we must not lose hope.  We must keep the faith.  No matter what, we need to keep on keeping on.

Yesterday, I attended the viewing for a dear friend and colleague, Corporal Gary Edwards.  Today, I attended his funeral.  For me personally, these are events that I would prefer to avoid.  The floral arrangements, the song selections, the eulogies…all are reminders of where my Dad and I were standing less than three years ago.  The photographs, the memories, the tears…all of them bring sadness instead of joy.  The casket, the hearse, the graveside…all of these remind me of how life is so very fragile.

As I walked toward the chapel yesterday evening, I encountered several friends and colleagues.  We shed a few tears, embraced, and shared words of encouragement.  While I was dealing with sorrow of my own, I felt in my heart that God was giving me the words to speak, even when I did not know what to say.  I told a couple of them what a blessing it was to have God’s strength in times like these.  Then, I told them that we just have to keep on keeping on.  They agreed, and one of them asked me to keep reminding them of this fact.  I told them I would.

In life, we are going to encounter some situations that seem impossible.  We will run into some valleys that seem too wide to cross, mountains that seem too high to climb, and rivers that seem too treacherous to brave.  Even when we face difficult circumstances, we need to keep the faith.  We do not have to do it on our own.  God will walk beside us, hold our hand, and even carry us.

Of course, when we are in the midst of the darkness, there are times when we are blinded to the point that we do not even realize that God is there with us.  I know I have had some moments this week when I felt like I had taken one step forward and was now taking two steps back.  I miss my Mom every single day of the year.  My heart remains broken.  Losing a colleague and friend this week breaks my heart a little more.  Just when a scab was beginning to heal over the brokenness I feel inside, something like this occurs and rips off the scab once more.  Still, I have hope.  I know God has not forsaken me.  He loves me more than I could ever imagine.  He has a dream for my life, and I will follow Him wherever He leads.

Even when we are down and out, God is working for our good.  Romans 8:28 says, “All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.”  Sometimes, it is hard to see the good that will come from the situation you find yourself in.  Even so, you must hold on a little longer.  Don’t run away and hide.  And don’t push your emotions aside and act as if nothing happened.  Trust that God will provide the strength you need to make it through this difficult time in your life.  There is joy around the bend.  Life may change, but God will never change.  Put your hope in Jesus Christ.  Keep the faith, and keep on keeping on.

In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer

Cherish Life - In Memory of Corporal Gary Edwards

On the way to church yesterday morning, I clearly recall that I was quite concerned over the fact that I had forgotten to apply mascara and did not bring a comfortable pair of shoes for shopping later in the afternoon.  In addition, we were running a little late, which compounded the problem.  As we slid into the pew just as the service was beginning, I took a deep breath, trying not to worry about these minor details that had seemingly grown to major league proportions.  All of the sudden, all of these minor details vanished, overwrought by unexpected news that jolted me to the core.

As the service began, a dear friend delivered news that Corporal Gary Edwards, the School Resource Officer at the school where I teach, had passed away Sunday morning from injuries sustained in an accident.  The Ford Ranger he was driving was struck by a drunk driver.  The impact caused his vehicle to veer into a utility pole.  He was taken off of life support late Sunday morning.  As I sat there listening to the words my friend spoke, I was stunned.  That morning, I had been awakened by an unpleasant dream.  Now, I felt as if I was living a nightmare.  Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to hear news like this.  Only a few moments before, my major concern was whether or not I was wearing mascara.  Soon, I realized that mascara would have only made black streaks on my cheeks, due to the tears that welled up in my eyes.

My heart crumbled with every single word.  I sat there in disbelief as I tried to process the information I had just been given.  This Christian man, who loved the Lord with all of his heart and also loved his family more than anything, was taken from this world in an instant.  There was no indication that this would be his last day on earth.  He had lived on this earth for 43 years, always smiling, always lending a hand, always abiding by the commandment to love one another.  He leaves behind a loving wife and two precious daughters.  I can’t help but wonder…  Of all the people in the world, how could this happen to someone who was so loving, so supportive, and so genuine?  Why did this have to happen at all?

In life, there are no guarantees.  We may be here one day, and then we may be gone the next.  One simple action can be the difference between life and death.  The driver of the other car could have been the one killed in Gary’s place.  But instead, the driver was taken to jail unscathed.  No single person on earth knows why these things happen the way they do.  Still, we know that God’s word remains true, even in trying times like these.  Romans 8:37-39 (NIV) states, “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  No matter what difficult times may come, there is nothing that can take away God’s love.  Not even death nor life can take us away from the unconditional love that He continually pours out to us.

Tomorrow, when you go to work or school, I encourage you to do one thing.  No matter where you are or what you are doing, treasure life itself.  Show others around you that you have the blessed hope of Christ.  Reveal to them the special love that God bestows upon us.  Officer Edwards always had a smile on his face, a song in his heart, and a kind word on his lips.  The love of Jesus was evident in everything he did.  He was a wonderful husband to his wife Robyne, father to his daughters Tyla and Toi, and friend to everyone who knew him.  Above all, he was the prime example of a Christian who loved the Lord with all of his heart.  Although we are sad without this special individual in our lives, we can find comfort in the fact that we will see him again in Heaven, if we have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  Do not wait until it is too late.  There are no guarantees in life.  Live.  Love.  Laugh.  Live every moment to the fullest.  Love your neighbor as yourself.  Laugh and share joy with others.  Cherish life.  It is God’s gift to you.

In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer

Looking Back; Moving Forward

As I look back at the last two and a half years, I realize just how far I have come.  The loss of my Mom was nearly more than I could bear.  I often wondered how I would get through the motions of each and every day.  While I had the desire to live life, I had absolutely no desire to sincerely enjoy life.  Since that time, I have found that I can enjoy life, even with the absence of my Mom.  My Dad and I enjoy many amazing experiences together, but through it all, there is always something missing from our daily life.  There are times when joyful times still have a bittersweet shadow lurking overhead, simply because my Mom is not there to share it with us.  Still, I want to remember the sweet memories I have of my Mom, with the assurance that I will see her again.  I suppose you could say the old adage, “Two steps forward, one step back,” is an accurate description of my journey to joy.  Some days are incredibly difficult, while others provide hope, strength, and happiness.  Even though I may be looking back, I am also moving forward.

During the times that I struggle to see the hope Jesus gives so freely, I am reminded of other moments when His hope was ever present, even amid difficulties I was facing.  While my Sweet Sixteenth year on this earth began with an All-Day Singing and Dinner on the Grounds, it ended in a much different realm.  My Mom was in the hospital at the time.  I walked into my closet to change clothes, so my Dad and I could go visit her that evening.  All of the sudden, I felt as if I had been stabbed in the side.  It was the most excruciating pain I had ever felt in my life.  I immediately told my Dad, who quickly ushered me out the door.  We went directly to the hospital emergency room.  I was evaluated, and it was determined that my colon had perforated and my heart rate was dangerously high.  The situation was extremely critical.

As they were preparing me for emergency surgery, my Dad was able to get permission to bring my Mom down to see me before I went into the operating room.  My Mom and Dad later told me that they wanted to see me one last time, in case I didn’t make it.  While I knew the situation was severe, I had complete assurance that Jesus would be in the operating room, guiding the surgeons’ hands.  Although I knew that peritonitis and all of the medical terms being spouted off by the nurses and doctors added up to a serious situation, I did not worry one bit.  I even recall telling my Mom and Dad that everything would be alright, and that Jesus would take care of me.  Even in the midst of what looked like a dire circumstance, I had complete faith that He would see me through.  I knew without a doubt that He would heal my body and restore my health.

I came through the surgery with a few complications, stayed in the Intensive Care Unit, and finally was able to come home several weeks later.  During the time I was in the hospital, my Mom was discharged from the hospital, so my Mom and Dad stayed by my side every day and night, except for the days when my Dad had to be at work.  I know it was a very difficult and trying time for them, worrying about their little girl.  Still, I know that my faith never wavered even once.  I knew that God would keep His promise.  In God’s Word, we read, “By His stripes, we are healed.”  I claimed this promise and I knew that I would prevail.  What I do not understand now is, how could I have had such a strength and faith at the young age of sixteen?  What was so different then?  While I have strength and faith now, there are times when I look back on August 2, 2008, and I wonder, why didn’t God intervene?

For me, I guess it was easier to believe that God would heal me and keep the faith, especially after He did heal me.  Now, I am left wondering why He did not answer my prayer for my Mom to stay with us.  Although I know He has my best interest at heart, I do not understand how the absence of my Mom is in my best interest.  Looking back, I can see God’s hand working in my life from the very moment I was born lifeless.  I realize the trials I had experienced up until this point were meant to make me stronger, to help me understand the will of God for my life, and to strengthen my relationship with Jesus.  What I have yet to figure out, as I strive to move forward, is how the loss of my Mom is meant to help.  Each step I take into the future, I have yet to determine how God will work this tragic loss for my good.

Romans 8:28 says, “All things work together for good, to those who love God, and are called according to His purpose.”  Perhaps I was born lifeless and then had the emergency surgery when I was sixteen to reveal to others Jesus’ healing power.  Quite possibly, some of the things that I have experienced throughout my life have been to show others the way I smile and shine forth the joy of Jesus, even in the most difficult of times.  But, what I have not figured out is how God will work this most recent trial for my good.  This loss has been devastating.  While I am not proud of this fact, I have not remained smiling and joyful 24/7 since my Mom went to be with the Lord.  And there was no healing about which to testify.  So, what is His purpose?  I don’t have all the answers, but I know that Jesus is the answer for every single question.

Inevitably, there are times in our lives when we will not know God’s purpose.  In reality, we may never know the purpose for some of the things that happen in our lives.  Even so, we must cling to the hope that we have in Jesus Christ.  As I look back on the way He has been so faithful to me, bringing me out of the toughest valleys and most raging rivers, I know that He will remain faithful.  Although it is difficult to move forward, I will press on.  I know that something better awaits.  It is my prayer that God will help me continue to live my life in service to Him.  And I pray that I can minister to someone’s heart through the message I bring.  That message is to tell you that even when life changes, there is joy around the bend.  I cannot explain the past, or the present.  But whether I am looking back or moving forward, I know the future is bright.  Because one day, we’ll be looking back at earth and moving forward to a Heavenly home.

In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer

Taken for Granted

Have you ever taken something for granted?  Maybe you took your job for granted, until you lost your job.  Perhaps you took your health for granted, until you found yourself unable to walk, eat, or breathe normally.  Or you may have lacked appreciation for your family or friends, until one of them passed away.  In life, we are given many things.  Some of these things are desired and some are undesired, some are happy and some are sad, some are uplifting and some are distressing.  Regardless of whether or not you appreciate the blessings God gives you, there is one thing that is absolutely certain: God will always give you what you need, when you need it, whether you think you need it or not.  You could be taking something for granted right now, whether it is the food you eat, your home, a loved one…do you give thanks for the things God has blessed you with each and every day?  Or are many of them simply taken for granted?

In August 2009, on the first morning of preplanning for teachers, I had an experience that caused me to reexamine the blessings God has given me.  One morning, when I got out of bed, my face was no longer normal.  As I looked in the mirror, I immediately realized that I could not blink my eyes, talk clearly, or even smile.  Fear dominated my thoughts.  Countless questions filled my mind.  I wondered, Was this permanent?  Did I have a stroke?  What could have possibly caused this?  I wondered why God would allow this to happen.  I could not understand the purpose in God’s plan.  After all that had happened in the previous year, I could not comprehend why God would add yet another trial for me to have to face.  Why should I have to go through this, of all things?  This experience put me in one of the lowest places I had ever been.

That very week, I went to my family physician, hoping to receive some good news.  My physician told me several possibilities that it could be, a few quite severe, and referred me to first see an optometrist.  I couldn’t believe, after 27 years of 20/20 vision, that a visit to an optometrist was necessary.  After a full examination, I was told that I likely had a severe case of bilateral Bell’s Palsy.  Although I have since heard about many cases of this condition, I had never heard of it before.  I was given several prescriptions to help with swelling and infection, and told to go home and basically wait it out.  How long would it last?  Neither the optometrist nor the eye specialist could tell me for sure, but they simply said it could be anywhere from days to weeks to months.  Or, it could be permanent.  This word seemed so final, so irreversible.  So, permanent.

Having lost my Mom just a year before, I was completely and utterly distraught.  I did not understand why I should be subjected to such pain, discomfort, and fear, in addition to the distress and sorrow I was already experiencing.  I was told one of the possible causes could be stress-related factors.  When I look back on that time in my life, I realize this was certainly the case.  Not only had our summer vacation come to an end, but it was the one-year anniversary of the loss of my Mom.  The more I tried to not think about this “anniversary,” the more I thought about it.  Every time I tried to miss my mom a little less, I missed my mom a lot more.  School was starting, which meant the end to our summer travels, there was a “to-do” list that seemed longer than the Nile itself, and the absence of my Mom made even the least significant detail or minor setback seem like an international incident.  Needless to say, I worried that I would drown in this sea of stress-related factors, never to smile again.
 
Anyone who knows me well knows that I smile all of the time.  It’s almost as if God has placed a perpetual smile on my face.  Although I had always been one to smile all of the time, I never gave it much thought.  For me, smiling is just as natural as breathing the life-giving air that God provides.  As such, the idea that I might never smile again was terribly frightening.  In addition, I was concerned about my eyesight.  While I had always had 20/20 vision, this medical condition made it difficult to see clearly enough to read an e-mail, to watch television, or to even drive a car.  On top of this, I could not raise my eyebrows, blink my eyes, speak clearly, or chew properly.  I was embarrassed to eat in front of my friends at school.  Eventually, they encouraged me enough to where I ate in front of them, reassured that they would not judge me if a morsel of food escaped my lips.  They loved me for who I was, with expressions or without expressions.  My entire face felt as if it had literally been frozen.  In one single night, I went from being able to smile, see, speak, eat, and express myself to being an expressionless individual who was falling into a sea of despair.

Someone once said, you don’t know what you have until it’s gone.  I never truly knew what this meant until this particular time in my life.  While I had lost three grandparents, two infant brothers, and most recently, my mom, I never once remember a time when I took my family for granted.  They have always been the second most important thing in my life, God being number one.  And I had been in the hospital in critical condition, but I never recall taking my health for granted.  But, the simple act of blinking my eyes and turning my lips upward into a smile…I never fully appreciated the ability to perform these actions.  Such simple things, until I was unable to do them.  Through this experience, God helped me learn that I should never take anything for granted, even blinking my eyes.

During this time, my friends and family were so supportive of me.  Because I could not see very well or control my eyelids very well, my dad assisted with eye drops at home.  At work, a dear friend graciously offered to help out whenever needed.  In fact, God used this ordeal to build a sense of trust between this particular friend and I, a bond of friendship that He would later use to help me through my grief.  Speaking of friends, this experience helped me realize that I was taking my friends for granted as well.  While I missed my mom greatly, God used this case of Bell’s Palsy to help me see just how precious my friends truly were.  They embraced me when I needed a hug, they gave me advice when I sought their wisdom, and they sat in silence when I needed a listening ear.  Looking back, I wonder how I would have gotten through this trial without my dad and these dear friends God had placed in my life.

Approximately four weeks later, God completely healed me of Bell’s Palsy.  It was a gradual journey to healing, but I must say that the journey was a journey of hope and healing ordained by God.  Every time I blink my eyes, each time I move any part of my face, and all of the times I smile, I remember the moment God fully restored my health.  Every expression that I can apply to my face is a constant reminder of God’s grace and His healing touch.  Each moment I express myself is a gift from God that I will never take for granted.  Every friend who stood beside me, through painfully dry eyes and unsmiling lips, will always be appreciated by me.  And yet, while they are the ones who inspired me to maintain a positive attitude, many of them told me what an inspiration I was to them, keeping a positive attitude throughout the whole ordeal.  I may not understand God’s purpose for my suffering, but this is such a perfect example of Romans 8:28 (NIV): “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.”  No matter what I had to endure, God used it for good.

What about you?  Have you faced a trial in your life?  Is there something you are taking for granted right now?  It could be something simple, like taking your pet for granted, or more complex, like taking your children for granted.  Perhaps you can walk on two feet, breathe deep breaths of air, or swallow your food.  Maybe you can talk, hear, see, blink, or yes, even smile.  Did you ever think about a life where you could not do one or more of these things?  Such small things, until they are gone.  Then, they grow in proportion and importance.  When you wake up in the morning, thank God for all of the things you have.  Thank Him for everything you can do, instead of complaining about the things you cannot do.  Give thanks for the family and friends you do have, rather than yearning for the ones you do not have.  Praise Him for the life He has given you, as opposed to asking Him for the life you covet.  Appreciate what you have.  God doesn’t want you to take life for granted, but to enjoy the life He has lovingly granted.

In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer