A friend inspired this post to be written.  I’ve not been able to get my fingers to the keys but I’ve been writing it in my heart and talking it over with other friends throughout the week.  I was completing a part of my job in which I gather information to support students in the exceptional education process.  I’ll cut to the meat of the situation.  She began to share with me the challenges of raising a child as a guardian.  When I asked her if the student was able to have contact with her biological mother she teared up and said, “No.”  She began to describe a person who was completely out of touch with reality. Drugs, weight loss, sickly, out of her mind, and hanging on street corners. I saw a vision of this woman in my heart and while I was still interviewing the guardian somehow I was praying simultaneously for this mother.  At the end of our meeting I felt the prompting to pray with her.  She hugged me and I held her hug and whispered a prayer in her ear not only for her journey but also for this child’s mother.

Later that week, I had dinner with a friend after a meeting.  I shared with her a small portion of this situation (very careful not to mention names) and said, “That could be any of us.”  Maybe we are snug in our comfortable homes, families, jobs even though our list of struggles exist within the comfort.  But stop and think.  Really think. That life could have been mine if I lacked _____________ ; decided to _________________; not sought help for _____________; or if by the grace of God ________________.  All of us have our stories of turn around, what could have been, things you step back from and say, “God thank you for Your mercy and grace in that situation.”

A prayer with a stranger that reminded me of the pain some people experience beyond our comprehension.  God where is she tonight?  Lead her home to you God.  Lead her to Your arms and mercy and grace.  Only You, God, can heal her.

We Need Each Other….

My oldest shared on her Facebook page how meaningful her Christian WOW group is to her and how they hold her accountable. Right under her post was a post from some other person with the verse “Iron sharpens iron” from God’s Word.  I smiled.  As their leader from many years ago it warms my heart that they still stay in touch and have the love of Jesus in common.  Iron sharpens iron–we need each other.

Today…

Counseling a student body after the death of a student, I was able to hear the stories of many who were deeply influenced by this young man who died so young, but stood strong for Christ.  His short years were equal to the “Billy Graham” leaders with long-lived Christian lives.  Students standing for Christ, loving each other, and supporting each other because this young man stood strong for HIM.  Many wanting to know more about Jesus because of him, and desiring to attend church with each other.

Do you see Jesus in all of these unrelated events and the commonality?  JESUS–working, connecting, and weaving His Kingdom work.  Don’t discount the little things like a Facebook post or the big things like a life lived for Him so completely it influences others to greatness.

———————— An amazing article on overcoming adversity

I went to a great workshop in the fall on trauma care.  I joined the therapist’s newsletter.  Today, when I got home, I read this wonderful article on overcoming adversity.  It’s worth the read!  Truly!

http://www.lisaferentz.com/2013/01/overcoming-adversity/