Faith Through Adversity

Posted by Jessica Squires...

This week I was personally touched by the faith of a friend. On October 11, 2009, she shared with many others, as well as myself, that during her 23rd week of pregnancy she and her husband found out that their baby had developed bilateral renal agenesis, or Potter’s Syndrome. This technical term means the kidneys of the baby have not developed as they should have, causing a lack of amniotic fluid in the womb, leading to the underdevelopment of the lungs. These organs should have begun their development in the early weeks, and there is no chance of transplants even if their little one reaches full term.

Then, on October 21, 2009, she posted the following entry on her blog. I was so personally touched that I asked her if I could share her entry with the Port Orange Counseling Center Prayer Circle. I hope that this entry about God’s miracles inspires you as much as me. My husband and I are continually praying for this family as I hope all of you will, too! Thank you Amanda and Nick.

Jessica Squires

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Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Not my will!!!

I can remember a week ago telling my mother that we ARE praying for a miracle, but we are also praying that God's will be done.

Mark 14:36 "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."

It is often hard to grasp that sometimes the miracle that will and is taking place might not be the one that is EXPECTED.

We often put God into a box and chose what miracle we want and think we need, but He often has other plans. And let me tell you those plans may be the hardest thing to grasp.

After going and visiting with the DR today, I was just so encouraged by her words, "you should expect to hold your baby for a few hours!" WOW, can you imagine, at first thinking I would never be able to look into our baby’s eyes and have them looking back at me!! Now it is very hopeful that even our family will be able to hold our little one, if only for a short time!!

That in my mind is a miracle, although we know God is capable of anything...we would just love the opportunity to hold our little one if only for a moment!!

We are so blessed to serve such an amazing GOD!!

Doggy School Dropout

Check out Peter's Blog Carnival on Obedience.

- Rediscovering The Church -

Families have secrets. Transactions and embarrassments they only whisper to each other, humiliations they shutter at the thought of telling non-family members.

My family definitely has secrets.

If we can believe scripture, and I do, all our secrets, events hidden from peers, will be brought out into the light one day.

Why wait.

Brothers and sisters, today I am shining a light on one of my family’s humiliations. Please do not judge us too harshly.

Our dogs, Max and Nina, the dogs we love and call family, flunked obedience training. They are to our shame. . . doggy school dropouts.

There I said it… The tension is leaving my body as I confess… I feel soooo much better already…

Max and Nina wanted to be obedient, they tried, but the pleasures of the world proved too tempting.


DOS PERROS

In the cool of a subtropical Saturday morning, a salty breeze coming off the ocean, Max Sits. He stays in the ready position for nearly three minutes. “Look at me master!” his eyes say, seeking approval.

Max is the first to see a family riding down the beach on their bicycles. He strains at the temptation, body tense, eyes watering like an addict needing a drink.

“Stay Max, stay boy. You can do it.” But the sirens’ call is too strong. Max springs down the coastline chasing the bicycles, barking, tail waging, tongue hanging out of his mouth like a pork-chop. “Come back Max! Come BACK!” too late…

Nina’s habits are more . . . invasive.

A neighbor walks to the mailbox, or the FedEx driver asks us to sign for a package, perhaps a man bends over in his driveway to pick up his newspaper. – And our sweet Nina, with no malicious intent, trots over to say hello and sniffs aggressively parts of his or her anatomy we normally do not discuss in polite company. The shame.

She knows she is doing wrong, she wants to be obedient. But, she cannot stop herself.

We still love both dogs, despite their disobedience.


MORE SECRETS

I am a doggy school dropout, too.

How many times have I wanted to do the right thing, wanted to be obedient to my Master but failed. …Daily?

With our Father’s guidance, I have improved over the years, but I am a work in progress. Like Max and Nina, I want to obey, but I simply cannot, not to His standards anyway.

And despite my shortcomings, and despite my lack of ability, and despite my open rebellion when I take off running down the beach, chasing empty promises like Max . . . He still loves me dearly. My God still loves me.

Here is another family secret for those who do not already know. – All I can offer God, all He requires, is Faith, faith in His son Jesus Christ. In return He gives me everything.

I am not His pet, I am His child.

Red Flag

The other day I saw a t-shirt that said, “Depression is merely anger without Enthusiasm.” And, you know what, that is probably true in many cases.

In counseling we like to talk about Anger being a secondary emotion used to cover-up or cope with other unwanted emotions like hurt, frustration, disappointment, or fear, just to name a few.

Sometimes people tell me they are angry with God. I tell them what I was told. If you are angry with God, don’t hide it, tell Him. He knows already anyway.

After reflecting on this topic last week I would add this: What primary emotion is our anger toward God covering up – Sadness? Hurt? Disappointment? A lack of trust? A lack of ... faith?

God loves us ... so much so that He sacrificed something, someone, very precious to Him for our benefit. When we begin to rap our minds around the idea that God loves us dearly, that His love is real and tangible, then we begin to embrace hope and faith grows. We begin to experience God’s love in a new way.

There are times I still get angry, even at God. When I do I ask Him to show me which underlying emotion is leading to the anger, and then I ask Him to remind me that He loves me. In my life, inevitably anger is a reflection of my lack of faith in God’s plan for my life. When I am reminded of His awesome love for me faith grows and the anger disipates.

“Father, You are a mighty and loving Creator. Be tender to us, Your children. Do not forget us in our pain and times of need. Life can be really hard Father and we cannot make it without Your love in our lives. We cry out to you in Jesus name.”