Want to Hear a Secret?

Café Menu for Friday, July 29, 2011

Today’s Dinner Special is: God’s strength is ours when we need it.

Carefully prepared just for you by your friend, Connie Hughey

Main Ingredient: I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation…I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:12, 13

Entrée:

It’s a boy!”

My husband and I were overjoyed! It had been a long, difficult delivery and it was finally over. We talked quietly as the doctor and nurses were examining our son. They stood there for a long time, but we didn’t notice because we were so happy. John Mark, our first child was here!

Soon a nurse moved me into the recovery room without letting me hold my baby. Then our doctor came in to speak to us. Our joy was quickly shattered as we heard the words that changed all of our hopes and dreams…our precious baby boy was born with severe medical problems. The doctor told us that the base of JM’s spine was open, caused by a birth defect called Spina Bifida. His legs and feet were severely deformed.

While things have not turned out as I had envisioned they would all of those years ago I have learned a secret that has helped me cope with the many unexpected changes that have happened in my life since then. Paul’s secret is one I have had to learn…to allow God’s strength to help me handle whatever comes my way.

It has been impossible for me, in my own strength, to be content in every situation in my life. My natural reaction is to be happy when he is healthy and upset when he is sick. And there have been times when I have allowed my fears and anxieties to overtake me, causing me to become discontented with God’s plan for my life.

When I grumble and complain about the way things are I am really grumbling and complaining about Jesus. I don’t want to do that because I love Him and I want to honor Him with my life. Finding my strength in the Lord allows me to meet the challenges of my life as the mother of a disabled child, and as a result, true contentment takes its place in my heart.

This is one secret I don’t mind sharing with you!

Take Out: Discontentment disconnects us from God. Let’s go to Him for the strength we need to handle the unexpected challenges that come our way.

Dessert: Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you that You don’t keep secrets from us. You want to be our source of strength. We open our hands and our hearts to reach out to You. Please fill us with Your strength as we seek to honor You with our lives.

© 2011 by Connie Hughey. All rights reserved.