Has God allowed you to walk through experiences through which you can see Him working for good in your life or in the lives of others? Do you, or will you, use these experiences to minister to others you meet along the way?
I don’t tend to see them working for good at the time, but I often can when I look back or come into a new situation. For example, when my daughter was little she caught a very rare illness. At the time it was scary because so little was known about it and the internet wasn’t as viral yet so finding information was still something new for me. It was very uncommon in the US and the only reason her doctor knew about it was because she had just come back from a Doctors Without Borders trip in Africa. As a single mom, it was scary to listen to them talk and not know what might happen next. It was an experience in faith at the time. Several years later, I had a friend who’s daughter was sick and they couldn’t figure out why. She happened to mention her symptoms in a conversation with me the day they finally went to the hospital and I mentioned that it sounded similar to what my daughter had. By giving the doctor my child’s diagnosis, they had a new place to start from and although this child’s case was much worse (maybe because they had to wait longer to identify), they were able to treat her and she made a full recovery. I didn’t see at the time why I had to go through what I did, but when I talked to my friend, I immediately knew that I went through my experience to help her through hers; not just medically, but emotionally. It’s happened more times that I can count. As a mom, I have moments when I just want to fall apart from all my kids have had to go through, but as a teacher and woman; God has used my experiences to help others going through similar things.
As for working for good in my life, I’ve noticed that God often makes me walk in the paths of people I judge – even if I judge unknowingly. I used to turn my nose up at women who had kids from different fathers and weren’t with any of the dads. I have 3 children, but 2 different fathers, neither of which are/were mainstream parts of their lives while they are/were growing up. I used to get frustrated watching this mom at work whose son used to hit her and scream at her on campus. I’d think, “She needs to take the reins back and remind him who the parent it.” Then my son was diagnosed on the autism spectrum and as his issues rose, I was that parent. I’ve since met that mom again. Her son is now in therapy and making progress- those episodes are few and far between. In fact, she was the reason and recommendation that my son saw the therapist that got him started on the right path to learning to deal with his disorder and challenges. Not only has God used many experiences to shape me, but He’s also taught me a lot about not judging people. J
As for; will I use my life to minister to others? As long as God needs me to, I’ll do the best I can. Will it make a difference? That’s not up to me. I’m just to be available for He is able to do all things.
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