I shared with you last week that I was going to recite the
following phrase when I felt life dragging me down, “I will choose to trust Him today…when storm clouds come my way…I will
choose to trust Him today.” I made a
point to do just that during the past seven days and I was amazed at how
calming it was just to say those words.
But the Lord knows that I am a visual learner and that I needed
to see this in action and he provided the circumstances last Tuesday to make
this a reality. I attended the viewing
and funeral of the daughter of friends of ours.
This young woman, Emily, was 32 years old and had never spoken and never
walked. In fact she had not been able to
do anything to care for herself…everything had been done for her by her loving
family. Emily had cerebral palsy and the
doctors had said that more than likely her life span wouldn’t be more than 13
years. That probably would have been true if not for the excellent care and
love she received.
It was shared during the funeral that even though Emily couldn’t
speak…she definitely knew when her family was around…especially her
sisters. When they were together Emily
would flash a huge smile and before long they would have her belly
laughing. She may not have verbally been
able to communicate, but her laughter spoke volumes.
During the time of viewing, we approached Emily’s father to give
him our condolences. I hugged him and told
him we were praying for them. I also complimented him on what amazing parents
they had been for all these years. His
answer? “Oh caring for Emily has been a
blessing. We would do it all over again
in a heartbeat.” I was speechless.
We then greeted Emily’s mother and I also hugged her and
reiterated what I had said to her husband.
Her answer? “This is how we have
served Jesus. People talk about
wondering how to serve Him…this is it.
Caring for her has been our service to Him.” Again…I had no words.
This my friends, is trusting Jesus when storm clouds come our
way. This is what serving Him is all
about. This is not getting angry and
bitter because life has dealt us a raw deal…but taking what or who has been
placed in our path and using the detour to serve Him. This is what it means to live for Jesus. Every.
Single. Day.
Are Emily’s parents saints?
No, probably not. I’m guessing
there were days where they were frustrated and tired and felt helpless. If they would have had a choice, I’m sure
they never would have chosen this life for their daughter but life doesn’t
always go the way we have planned. They
realize though, that being a Christ-follower doesn’t always look pretty. It’s not always easy and many times it’s downright
difficult. But they have learned that to
be a true follower of Christ means that even when the storms clouds come, our
responsibility is to keep serving, keep loving and above all…keep trusting. It is
then that the challenges of life become our blessings.
The funeral ended with Emily’s uncle singing a song I had never
heard before…but it was absolutely perfect.
The song was “The Light of That City” and I’m not sure there was a dry
eye in the room by the time he ended.
The lyrics were so fitting; especially the words “And the lame, they
will run all over the streets of that City”.
I knew at that moment everyone was picturing Emily doing just that. You can listen to this beautiful song at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0puijGvOis4&list=RD0puijGvOis4&index=1.
I
went to the funeral that day to encourage this family…but instead I was the one
who was touched. Emily was blessed with
an amazing family who couldn’t stop talking about how excited they were for her
because she is now running the streets of gold…using her voice to praise her
heavenly Father and eating without the use of a feeding tube. Emily is now whole and experiencing the
sights and sounds of heaven. But I
happen to think that she already had an idea of what heaven would be like…because
she was blessed to experience a little bit of heaven here on earth in her
home. All because a family chose to trust
and serve where God had placed them.
What an example…what a blessing.
“Be devoted to one another in love.
Honor one another above yourselves.
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your
spiritual fervor,
serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope,
patient in affliction,
faithful in prayer.”
Romans 12:10-12
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