This week’s question is going to be a tough one…Rather than answer the question; we will probably talk about more how the question makes us feel. I was reading a page from David Jeremiah’s (I like him) book, “Captured by Grace”, and the story I was reading had a question that got my full attention. So this week, I would like to see what emotions this question will evoke in you all. I will give the quick version of the story. The story is about Helen Roseveare a British medical missionary in the Congo. Helen stayed in the country in 1964 when many others fled; she believed that she would be willing to make any sacrifice for her Savior Jesus. Someone tried to poison her once, her house was looted and she lost every item in it, and around her many female missionaries and medical personnel were raped be rebel armies. David Jeremiah mentions that Helen was fearful often, but she wanted to concentrate more on learning to trust God.There is more to the story, but to shorten it for this week, on August 15, 1964 Helen was beaten, humiliated, and raped by a truckload of brutal soldiers. She barely survived and had to be taken from the Congo. During her very painful recovery she found herself closer to God than ever before, and she even longed to go back to the Congo more than ever. (Up to this point I have paraphrased what David Jeremiah has written, and now I will take up with direct quotes to finish up the story).
“There was no bitterness within her, though Helen had experienced terrible, mindless evil. It would have been so easy to demand of God why He allowed these atrocities, when she had been so faithful to His service. But in her heart of hearts, she felt that God’s question would be, “Can you thank Me for trusting you with this experience, even if I never tell you why?”That question stopped me in my tracks, and for today’s Chat I would like to hear your thoughts about this question...Of course this is the question that Helen felt like God was asking her, but I think it is a good question for all of us to ponder.: Wow, that is a powerful question. As I look back over several trials in my life, I believe my answer to that question would be yes. When my momma was dying, and I was her caretaker, of course there were several times I wondered why this was happening. But, now that she has been gone three years this April 21, I am truly thankful for God trusting me to take care of my momma, and holding my hand through it all. If I never find out why I was chosen to take that journey with my momma, that will be fine with me. I am forever grateful for the trust and love God had for me, as He chose me to be mommas caregiver. I praise You Father.
“There was no bitterness within her, though Helen had experienced terrible, mindless evil. It would have been so easy to demand of God why He allowed these atrocities, when she had been so faithful to His service. But in her heart of hearts, she felt that God’s question would be, “Can you thank Me for trusting you with this experience, even if I never tell you why?”That question stopped me in my tracks, and for today’s Chat I would like to hear your thoughts about this question...Of course this is the question that Helen felt like God was asking her, but I think it is a good question for all of us to ponder.: Wow, that is a powerful question. As I look back over several trials in my life, I believe my answer to that question would be yes. When my momma was dying, and I was her caretaker, of course there were several times I wondered why this was happening. But, now that she has been gone three years this April 21, I am truly thankful for God trusting me to take care of my momma, and holding my hand through it all. If I never find out why I was chosen to take that journey with my momma, that will be fine with me. I am forever grateful for the trust and love God had for me, as He chose me to be mommas caregiver. I praise You Father.
8 comments:
“Can you thank Me for trusting you with this experience, even if I never tell you why?”
Ohhhhh yes. I've never asked this exactly, but with different words, same meaning.
Lord, why do you allow my mom to suffer so long?
Why do you let little children suffer?
Why, why, why all kinds of things.
when I finally stopped asking the "Why" and believing in the "WHO," I began to walk in freedom and forgiveness. I wouldn't trade it for anything.
what an incredible post, Denise.
Thanks so much for sharing your experiences weekly... I can tell that you love the Lord, and are growing closer to Him.
Blessings... Kim
Great thoughts to ponder Denise.
It's easy to trust God when things are going pretty good. Yet another when things are "that" horrible.
Like you, I went through similar things with my own Angel Mother. When I cried out to God with the why's one night, He said, "I'm still here... I'm with you... just trust me."
So I know He wants us to just trust Him. But,putting our faith into practice when you're having a face to face crisis is alot harder sometimes.
Thanks for giving me a reminder to trust Him today. I needed it.
Holykisses,
L
To each is apportioned different amounts of faith...and obviously this woman has been given a large portion. It is a humbling story. I think God gives us strength to face each situation as it comes. But that...wow...a true story of trust. I asked that question when my son faced cancer...it was hard...but I let him go in my heart...and I know that that ability came from God. I too felt closer after...much closer...thanks for this awe inspiring post sister.
Bless you for being there for your mother during her last days. I know it meant a lot to her.
Thank you for sharing so honestly today.
I remember the day I lost my father, and it was such a surreal thing. You're almost numb. But I too thank the Lord for those last days leading up to that. For all the months and years before that.
It is a blessing to know that God used you to minister to your mom and take care of her. There is such joy in knowing that we will see them again.
Thank you for this. I needed this reminder. I have been asking God a lot of questions lately (some of them were on my posts this week), but I needed to hear Him ask me this. I know that my current heart and situation are to cause me to trust HIm more, but I really appreciated this reminder.
Also, thanks for putting my 1000-souls button on your site.
You proved yourself worthy of God's trust. I know it was hard, but He saw you through it. He always gives the grace we need for the trial we face.
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