Ezekiel 18:20
Only those who sin will be put to death. Children won’t suffer for the sins of their parents, and parents won’t suffer for the sins of their children. Good people will be rewarded for what they do, and evil people will be punished for what they do.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In her book The Glass Castle, author Jeannette Walls describes what life was like for her and her brother and sister as they grew up with parents who were “different” at best… and downright neglectful and shady in some regards. They didn’t pay bills… they “skedaddled” in the middle of the night a few steps ahead of landlords, collection agents and law enforcement. Walls’ mother, a well-educated teacher, chose to spend her days and nights painting while the children slept, quite literally, under an old boat that protected them from water dripping through a leaky roof… and rats hung out in the large bowl of sugar that sat atop the dining table. Food was scarce, and the children were forced to forage in the garbage cans at school and elsewhere in order to fill their stomachs. The children suffered abuse at the hands of a grandmother, and the parents looked the other way. The book is fascinating and heartbreaking on every page, and I encourage you to read it if you haven’t already.
What is truly amazing is that the children survived. Walls and her brother fared better than their sister, but all of the children made their own way and were able to carve something of a life separate from their parents. Their story gives hope to countless families in which either the children feel destined to repeat the “sins of the father and mother,” or the parents feel responsible for how their kids “turned out”. While there is a distinct and often traceable connection…you can’t account for the power of choice. And that is what this scripture passage clearly indicates.
Just because your parents were not the greatest doesn’t mean you have to turn out to be like them. You don’t have to be a poor manager just because your parents were. You can break the “curse” of alcoholism, drug addiction, physical abuse, and more. You can be the first person in your household to finish school and go to college. You can have a marriage that is strong and steady and doesn’t fall apart within the first few years. You can choose to serve God and act as His disciple…even if your parents never darkened the door of a church or picked up a Bible.
By the same token, parents are not ultimately responsible for their children’s choices. You can serve as the model example of Godly, loving, responsible parents… do everything “right”… and still produce children who choose to behave in a completely different manner. You can live in the same house with brothers and sisters who are downright scoundrels… but that doesn’t make you one. You can have grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins who have poor reputations… who are disobedient and disrespectful to God and to others…but you can choose NOT to be like them.
At the end of the day, there comes a time when we all make choices. We choose whether to throw our hands up and say, “Look at me and my family – this is just who we are”… or we can say, “I am only responsible for MYSELF… God will judge ME on my own merits. I am choosing to follow Him and behave in a way that honors this commitment.” I truly dislike it when someone makes a comment about another person that references his/her family… as if it is accepted as fact that we cannot be our own person and must operate in a manner similar to those in our bloodline. Nothing could be farther from the truth. You do have a choice. And yours is the only one that will matter to God.
How will you decide? Who will you follow? When God looks at the sum of your life, what will you have to show Him?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label overcoming obstacles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label overcoming obstacles. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for August 22, 2013
Psalm 73:25-28
You’re all I want in heaven!
You’re all I want on earth!
When my skin sags and my bones get brittle,
God is rock-firm and faithful.
Look! Those who left you are falling apart!
Deserters, they’ll never be heard from again.
But I’m in the very presence of God—
oh, how refreshing it is!
I’ve made Lord God my home.
God, I’m telling the world what you do!
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
I saw a story on CBS Sunday Morning about 30-year-old Nick Vujicic, an Australian man who was born with no arms and no legs. Nick has small “feet” on which he hobbles around, yet he is able to do virtually everything you and I can do with fully functioning limbs. He swims, plays soccer, and even golfs! Life has obviously not been easy for Nick Vujicic, and he will tell you that from ages 8-13, he was angry with God for allowing him to be created this way. He was also bullied continually by his peers at school. In fact, Nick tells in this interview about a day when he was 10 and his father helped him get into the bath tub. Nick asked to be left alone. His father shut the door, and Nick turned himself over face down and “let go” in an effort to drown himself. He could not go through with this, and the thought of hurting his mother, dad and brother in this way made him choose to live.
At age 15, Nick read John 9 and gave his heart to Jesus, and he says on his website, www.lifewithoutlimbs.org, that “I knew I had to make my life right with Him, but I blamed Him for my pain. I read how Jesus said that the blind man was born that way so that the works of God would be revealed through him. I said to God that if He had a plan for that man I certainly believed that He had one for me. I totally surrendered the ‘needing to know the plan’ idea and trusted in Him one day at a time.” Today, Nick is married, the father of a perfectly “normal” little boy… and an international evangelist and motivational speaker whose message in part is that…”My faith in God and my personal relationship has given me the power, strength, humility and grace to ask Him to change me one day at a time. That if my circumstance doesn’t change, then I’d ask Him to change my heart, for all things come together for the good and for those who love Him.” Nick Vujicic offers hope to others by reminding them that they are not alone…and that God will not allow them to go through more than they can handle.
As I read this passage, I’ll be honest… I was immediately struck by the verses that talk of skin that sags and bones that are brittle. For many of you, these things are a long way off in your future… and others among you are right there with me! I thought of the days when I look in the mirror and see another “age spot”… even more white hair… and a little more of me than there was when I was in college! And yet, I also see someone who is refreshed, calm and peaceful, and oh-so-content! How can this be? I give you one word… Jesus! On the days when the devil starts to remind me that I’m not as young as I once was… that I can’t physically do all I used to do in a day… that I walk into a room and forget why I am there, can’t recall familiar names, and lose simple objects like my phone and car keys – or the TV remote…I start humming a happy praise song or thanking God out loud for His ever present help and for meeting all of my needs (and helping me to find the missing object or recollection!).
I find that I don’t care as much about shopping these days… that “things” are not nearly as important as relationships… that I truly do have everything I need. And when I hear about someone like Nick Vujicic, I am doubly humbled to think that God has blessed me so abundantly. What’s the big deal about a head of hair that is quickly turning white and knees that seize up once in a while? In God’s eyes, our bodies and outward appearance do not define us… it’s all about the heart and soul!
I am grateful that I have two arms and legs… that I can walk upright and hug my loved ones… that I am still incredibly sound and healthy in a physical sense. But I am even more grateful for a sound heart and mind. Anyone who knows me well understands that I have become a serious “homebody.” Thanks to technology and modern conveniences, I rarely have to leave the comforts of my house and venture out into the “real world”! Virtually anything and everything I want or need can be delivered to my doorstep, phone or computer screen…even face-to-face conversations with friends and family (although “in-person” interaction with others is still important!). I am even more grateful that I am always “at home” in the LORD… that God is with me… always and everywhere… and that He is truly meeting all my needs.
I know that Nick Vujicic is right… God will not give me more than I can handle with His help… even the loss of limbs, memory, loved ones…or my hair color! And He will do this for you, as well. I am blessed to rest in the peace of God… to reside at home in Him…and to feel his ever present love and care. Where is your home? What matters most to you? What struggles are keeping you from resting in the home of the LORD? Nick Vujicic claims that “attitude is altitude.” Our attitude – our faith, our values, our determination - govern how high we travel… what goals we accomplish, the levels of competence and satisfaction we achieve.
How high are you aiming? Is peace in God and a home with Him at the top of your list of goals and desires? Are you doing everything you can to attain this? Will today be the day you surrender to “needing to know the plan” and trust God to handle things for you? Will this be the day you find your way “home” and rest in God’s peace?
©2013 Debbie Robus
You’re all I want in heaven!
You’re all I want on earth!
When my skin sags and my bones get brittle,
God is rock-firm and faithful.
Look! Those who left you are falling apart!
Deserters, they’ll never be heard from again.
But I’m in the very presence of God—
oh, how refreshing it is!
I’ve made Lord God my home.
God, I’m telling the world what you do!
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
I saw a story on CBS Sunday Morning about 30-year-old Nick Vujicic, an Australian man who was born with no arms and no legs. Nick has small “feet” on which he hobbles around, yet he is able to do virtually everything you and I can do with fully functioning limbs. He swims, plays soccer, and even golfs! Life has obviously not been easy for Nick Vujicic, and he will tell you that from ages 8-13, he was angry with God for allowing him to be created this way. He was also bullied continually by his peers at school. In fact, Nick tells in this interview about a day when he was 10 and his father helped him get into the bath tub. Nick asked to be left alone. His father shut the door, and Nick turned himself over face down and “let go” in an effort to drown himself. He could not go through with this, and the thought of hurting his mother, dad and brother in this way made him choose to live.
At age 15, Nick read John 9 and gave his heart to Jesus, and he says on his website, www.lifewithoutlimbs.org, that “I knew I had to make my life right with Him, but I blamed Him for my pain. I read how Jesus said that the blind man was born that way so that the works of God would be revealed through him. I said to God that if He had a plan for that man I certainly believed that He had one for me. I totally surrendered the ‘needing to know the plan’ idea and trusted in Him one day at a time.” Today, Nick is married, the father of a perfectly “normal” little boy… and an international evangelist and motivational speaker whose message in part is that…”My faith in God and my personal relationship has given me the power, strength, humility and grace to ask Him to change me one day at a time. That if my circumstance doesn’t change, then I’d ask Him to change my heart, for all things come together for the good and for those who love Him.” Nick Vujicic offers hope to others by reminding them that they are not alone…and that God will not allow them to go through more than they can handle.
As I read this passage, I’ll be honest… I was immediately struck by the verses that talk of skin that sags and bones that are brittle. For many of you, these things are a long way off in your future… and others among you are right there with me! I thought of the days when I look in the mirror and see another “age spot”… even more white hair… and a little more of me than there was when I was in college! And yet, I also see someone who is refreshed, calm and peaceful, and oh-so-content! How can this be? I give you one word… Jesus! On the days when the devil starts to remind me that I’m not as young as I once was… that I can’t physically do all I used to do in a day… that I walk into a room and forget why I am there, can’t recall familiar names, and lose simple objects like my phone and car keys – or the TV remote…I start humming a happy praise song or thanking God out loud for His ever present help and for meeting all of my needs (and helping me to find the missing object or recollection!).
I find that I don’t care as much about shopping these days… that “things” are not nearly as important as relationships… that I truly do have everything I need. And when I hear about someone like Nick Vujicic, I am doubly humbled to think that God has blessed me so abundantly. What’s the big deal about a head of hair that is quickly turning white and knees that seize up once in a while? In God’s eyes, our bodies and outward appearance do not define us… it’s all about the heart and soul!
I am grateful that I have two arms and legs… that I can walk upright and hug my loved ones… that I am still incredibly sound and healthy in a physical sense. But I am even more grateful for a sound heart and mind. Anyone who knows me well understands that I have become a serious “homebody.” Thanks to technology and modern conveniences, I rarely have to leave the comforts of my house and venture out into the “real world”! Virtually anything and everything I want or need can be delivered to my doorstep, phone or computer screen…even face-to-face conversations with friends and family (although “in-person” interaction with others is still important!). I am even more grateful that I am always “at home” in the LORD… that God is with me… always and everywhere… and that He is truly meeting all my needs.
I know that Nick Vujicic is right… God will not give me more than I can handle with His help… even the loss of limbs, memory, loved ones…or my hair color! And He will do this for you, as well. I am blessed to rest in the peace of God… to reside at home in Him…and to feel his ever present love and care. Where is your home? What matters most to you? What struggles are keeping you from resting in the home of the LORD? Nick Vujicic claims that “attitude is altitude.” Our attitude – our faith, our values, our determination - govern how high we travel… what goals we accomplish, the levels of competence and satisfaction we achieve.
How high are you aiming? Is peace in God and a home with Him at the top of your list of goals and desires? Are you doing everything you can to attain this? Will today be the day you surrender to “needing to know the plan” and trust God to handle things for you? Will this be the day you find your way “home” and rest in God’s peace?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 12, 2013
Matthew 21:21-22
But Jesus was matter-of-fact: “Yes—and if you embrace this kingdom life and don’t doubt God, you’ll not only do minor feats like I did to the fig tree, but also triumph over huge obstacles. This mountain, for instance, you’ll tell, ‘Go jump in the lake,’ and it will jump. Absolutely everything, ranging from small to large, as you make it a part of your believing prayer, gets included as you lay hold of God.”
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
I often refer to our 19-month-old great-niece, Zola, as “our little monkey!” Zola absolutely loves to climb things. One day, as my husband sat on our couch, he put his feet on the ottoman in front of him. Zola wanted to pass by. She could easily have crawled underneath my husband’s legs and been on her way. Instead, she worked, wriggled, huffed and puffed as she attempted to “scale the mountain” and climb up and over. For her, those legs were a huge obstacle… one she faced head-on! I’m not sure where she gets her determination and confidence, but there is nothing she won’t tackle!
My favorite part of this particular translation of Matthew 21:21-22 is…” you’ll not only do minor feats … but also triumph over huge obstacles.” Most of us perform minor feats every single day - from getting to work or school on time… running a household a combination of people of all ages and maybe a pet or two…managing to squeeze in a workout that keeps us healthy.. and much more. Let’s call them “small victories.” I believe God blesses us with these to keep us encouraged and moving forward… to show us that we are strong and capable of “getting it done.”
By the same token, each one of us will likely face huge obstacles at one point or another in our life. Our “mountain” may be something such as finishing college or completing a difficult internship…losing a significant amount of weight (or that last stubborn 10 pounds) and getting in shape to reduce cholesterol and lower blood pressure…coping with the grief of losing a loved one…losing our job and/or our home… managing a serious illness (ours or that of a friend or family member)… facing the results of a crisis, such as a natural disaster… or conquering an addiction. But God can equip us with the strength, courage and fortitude to handle these obstacles… if only we will trust Him.
Isn’t it great to know that God can help us with all of this – minor feats, huge obstacles - and everything in between? Wouldn’t it be great if we operated a little more like Zola… in the “No Fear Zone?” We DO know where our determination and confidence lies… in the strength and power of God Almighty. It is up to us to lay hold of Him… to remove all doubt and claim the dominion of God as our believing prayer. Whether He directs us to crawl under or around our hurdle… or to climb to the top and tackle it head-on, we can embrace Kingdom Life and handle anything under God’s power.
Does this mean that we can literally make mountains jump into the lake by telling them to do so? Probably not! But with God’s help, the “mountains” in our individual lives can be seized and managed, captured and dominated… and we can rest in the assurance and protection of a victorious Master who always has our back. Aren’t you ready for this? What “mountain” do you need to move today? Are you ready to lay hold of God and get it done?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 17, 2012
Romans 7:21-23
It happens so regularly that it's predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God's commands, but it's pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
You know me and my “reality TV” hobby… I was watching a show called “My 600-lb. Life” on TLC, and this morbidly obese man, Henry, had gastric bypass surgery. Initially weighing in at 715 lbs., Henry ultimately lost 500 pounds over the course of five years. Some of this came in the form of cosmetic surgery to remove excessive skin… but most was a result of eating less and burning body fat. However, this was a very difficult journey for Henry, as it is for so many… in large part because of the temptations that surrounded him.
Henry’s family continued to eat all the wrong things – in excessive quantities – directly in front of him. Once, when he returned home after a month in the hospital for “skin” surgery, his sister said something to the effect of… “We’ve got to stop and get Momma something to eat on the way home. She said she was hungry and not to come home without a sandwich or something.” The next scene was all of Henry’s family, chowing down on burgers, fries and more, while he looked on pitifully. He admitted that sometimes he wanted to throw up his hands and just go back to eating. The man who had overcome so much… lost at least two persons in body weight… acquired an entirely new, much smaller wardrobe – even down to underwear, socks and shoes… and rekindled his relationship with the love of his life… still wanted to eat whatever and whenever he pleased.
Surely this passage has it right… there are times when parts of us covertly rebel and take charge. And like Henry, this is when we have to stand up and leave the room or do whatever it takes to strengthen our resolve to stay on course. This is when we truly have to “speak of things that be not as though they are!” We must use our mouth to call on God to rescue us… and we must do so with confidence that He will do exactly this!
The point is that life is hard… there are always going to be challenges, and Satan is NEVER going away. The minute we think we have it all together is the very moment he will show up full force to try to derail us. We must speak against anything that comes between us and living in God’s will. We must declare that we will not give in – or fold up. We will persevere by the strength of God Almighty, and we will come out on top. You may only have 5 pounds you wish to lose, but temptations still abound. You may have a “habit” you are trying to kick, and temptations keep trying to reel you back in.
You may be working toward a goal, like a college degree, training for a job promotion, or just getting your life on track in general… and roadblocks may keep appearing. Don’t give up! Keep on working toward whatever God is trying to give you. Call on Him to help you – and declare that you know He is going to deliver!
We know that when we get on track, challenges are going to show up almost like clockwork. By God’s grace, we are bigger than those challenges… and we have His full force behind us. Tell whatever part of you that is listening to Satan to get on board or move over, because you are committed to God, and He will not allow you to fail! This is great news! This is worthy of a shout! Praise God… with Him all things are possible… with God, we cannot be defeated!
©2012 Debbie Robus
It happens so regularly that it's predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God's commands, but it's pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
You know me and my “reality TV” hobby… I was watching a show called “My 600-lb. Life” on TLC, and this morbidly obese man, Henry, had gastric bypass surgery. Initially weighing in at 715 lbs., Henry ultimately lost 500 pounds over the course of five years. Some of this came in the form of cosmetic surgery to remove excessive skin… but most was a result of eating less and burning body fat. However, this was a very difficult journey for Henry, as it is for so many… in large part because of the temptations that surrounded him.
Henry’s family continued to eat all the wrong things – in excessive quantities – directly in front of him. Once, when he returned home after a month in the hospital for “skin” surgery, his sister said something to the effect of… “We’ve got to stop and get Momma something to eat on the way home. She said she was hungry and not to come home without a sandwich or something.” The next scene was all of Henry’s family, chowing down on burgers, fries and more, while he looked on pitifully. He admitted that sometimes he wanted to throw up his hands and just go back to eating. The man who had overcome so much… lost at least two persons in body weight… acquired an entirely new, much smaller wardrobe – even down to underwear, socks and shoes… and rekindled his relationship with the love of his life… still wanted to eat whatever and whenever he pleased.
Surely this passage has it right… there are times when parts of us covertly rebel and take charge. And like Henry, this is when we have to stand up and leave the room or do whatever it takes to strengthen our resolve to stay on course. This is when we truly have to “speak of things that be not as though they are!” We must use our mouth to call on God to rescue us… and we must do so with confidence that He will do exactly this!
The point is that life is hard… there are always going to be challenges, and Satan is NEVER going away. The minute we think we have it all together is the very moment he will show up full force to try to derail us. We must speak against anything that comes between us and living in God’s will. We must declare that we will not give in – or fold up. We will persevere by the strength of God Almighty, and we will come out on top. You may only have 5 pounds you wish to lose, but temptations still abound. You may have a “habit” you are trying to kick, and temptations keep trying to reel you back in.
You may be working toward a goal, like a college degree, training for a job promotion, or just getting your life on track in general… and roadblocks may keep appearing. Don’t give up! Keep on working toward whatever God is trying to give you. Call on Him to help you – and declare that you know He is going to deliver!
We know that when we get on track, challenges are going to show up almost like clockwork. By God’s grace, we are bigger than those challenges… and we have His full force behind us. Tell whatever part of you that is listening to Satan to get on board or move over, because you are committed to God, and He will not allow you to fail! This is great news! This is worthy of a shout! Praise God… with Him all things are possible… with God, we cannot be defeated!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 7, 2011
John 9:1-11
As Jesus walked along, he saw a man who had been blind since birth. Jesus' disciples asked, "Teacher, why was this man born blind? Was it because he or his parents sinned?" "No, it wasn't!" Jesus answered. "But because of his blindness, you will see God work a miracle for him. As long as it is day, we must do what the one who sent me wants me to do. When night comes, no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light for the world."
After Jesus said this, he spit on the ground. He made some mud and smeared it on the man's eyes. Then he said, "Go and wash off the mud in Siloam Pool." The man went and washed in Siloam, which means "One Who Is Sent." When he had washed off the mud, he could see.
The man's neighbors and the people who had seen him begging wondered if he really could be the same man. Some of them said he was the same beggar, while others said he only looked like him. But he told them, "I am that man."
"Then how can you see?" they asked. He answered, "Someone named Jesus made some mud and smeared it on my eyes. He told me to go and wash it off in Siloam Pool. When I did, I could see."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Imagine having a baby… anticipating the birth… preparing, planning, and counting the days… and then the doctors tell you, “Your child is blind.” Surely you would ask, “What happened?” and wonder if perhaps you (the parents) did something wrong. Even if you knew you did everything perfectly and followed doctors’ orders to the letter during the pregnancy, you might ask, “Is this God’s way of punishing me for something I’ve done?” Clearly, Jesus mandates to all parents here in this passage that this is not God’s intention. In fact, He explains that such things are opportunities for us to witness God’s miracles in action.
This was the case for my friend, MawMac, who recently died. A tragic set of circumstances at birth caused her precious daughter, Mary, to have cerebral palsy. Born nearly 60 years ago, Mary could easily have been tucked away at home or in an institution, as people did with children who suffered such maladies “back then.” But Mary’s parents treated her as normally as possible… and I don’t have time or space to tell you all of the miracles that countless people witnessed through her affliction and how her family handled them.
In much the same manner, we all have challenges and issues that we would love to blame on our childhood, our parents, or even God’s punishment. But we cannot. Remember… God does not make mistakes. Each challenge, blemish, unfortunate circumstance, or deformity is a chance for us to see God’s miraculous power at work. God can use these situations to teach us faith, grace, mercy… to show us His healing power… and to teach us patience and perseverance. God can show us how to grow in our love for Him… and how to have courage when things seem to go awry at every turn.
Every circumstance is an opportunity for God to teach us more about Him… to share His miraculous love and power. What is He teaching you today? What challenges are you facing? Are you allowing Him to help you see them as stumbling blocks… or miracles in the making?
©2011 Debbie Robus
As Jesus walked along, he saw a man who had been blind since birth. Jesus' disciples asked, "Teacher, why was this man born blind? Was it because he or his parents sinned?" "No, it wasn't!" Jesus answered. "But because of his blindness, you will see God work a miracle for him. As long as it is day, we must do what the one who sent me wants me to do. When night comes, no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light for the world."
After Jesus said this, he spit on the ground. He made some mud and smeared it on the man's eyes. Then he said, "Go and wash off the mud in Siloam Pool." The man went and washed in Siloam, which means "One Who Is Sent." When he had washed off the mud, he could see.
The man's neighbors and the people who had seen him begging wondered if he really could be the same man. Some of them said he was the same beggar, while others said he only looked like him. But he told them, "I am that man."
"Then how can you see?" they asked. He answered, "Someone named Jesus made some mud and smeared it on my eyes. He told me to go and wash it off in Siloam Pool. When I did, I could see."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Imagine having a baby… anticipating the birth… preparing, planning, and counting the days… and then the doctors tell you, “Your child is blind.” Surely you would ask, “What happened?” and wonder if perhaps you (the parents) did something wrong. Even if you knew you did everything perfectly and followed doctors’ orders to the letter during the pregnancy, you might ask, “Is this God’s way of punishing me for something I’ve done?” Clearly, Jesus mandates to all parents here in this passage that this is not God’s intention. In fact, He explains that such things are opportunities for us to witness God’s miracles in action.
This was the case for my friend, MawMac, who recently died. A tragic set of circumstances at birth caused her precious daughter, Mary, to have cerebral palsy. Born nearly 60 years ago, Mary could easily have been tucked away at home or in an institution, as people did with children who suffered such maladies “back then.” But Mary’s parents treated her as normally as possible… and I don’t have time or space to tell you all of the miracles that countless people witnessed through her affliction and how her family handled them.
In much the same manner, we all have challenges and issues that we would love to blame on our childhood, our parents, or even God’s punishment. But we cannot. Remember… God does not make mistakes. Each challenge, blemish, unfortunate circumstance, or deformity is a chance for us to see God’s miraculous power at work. God can use these situations to teach us faith, grace, mercy… to show us His healing power… and to teach us patience and perseverance. God can show us how to grow in our love for Him… and how to have courage when things seem to go awry at every turn.
Every circumstance is an opportunity for God to teach us more about Him… to share His miraculous love and power. What is He teaching you today? What challenges are you facing? Are you allowing Him to help you see them as stumbling blocks… or miracles in the making?
©2011 Debbie Robus
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