You never know who is watching.
As I struggled through one doctor’s appointment after another, I was a mess. Sometimes I couldn’t breathe through the sobs to explain all the physical and emotional issues that followed the loss of Courtney. It had taken years to become pregnant again after the stillbirth, and I when I did, I suffered an early miscarriage.
Once in the midst of this, my doctor shared that she had used the story of my faith and endurance to encourage other patients. My response was, “WHAT?!” (Yep, super spiritual. I know.)
I couldn’t fathom that my story could encourage another woman. I felt only loss – my world was ripping apart at the seams, and I didn’t have the miracle for which I had been begging God.
Do you know what? I get it now. I get it because I kept going back. I didn’t give up and that inspired others.
My world was ripping apart at the seams. I’m no seamstress, but I do know that when something rips at the seams, it’s a much easier fix. It can be repaired. Jesus can take whatever has split apart in our lives and sew it right up! We might see the thread, and the process might not be neat and perfect – but that is part of the beauty. He knows we won’t be neat and perfect. We are a sinful people needing His beautifully shed crimson blood to wash over us and make us new.
The imperfections draw others to us to hear our stories. Christ uses our stories to piece others’ stories together. They need to see the thread and sometimes even the flawed stitches down the seams of our lives. He works it all together. It’s good – it’s so good!
Regardless of where you stand on the battlefield today, someone is probably watching you.
Knowing that, will you change the way you conduct your battle today?
Love,
Jennifer
If you’ve missed any of this series, you can click on the landing page for a list of posts.
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You have such a gift for words! Thank you so much for this series, you have really blessed me. I have people say we inspire them through our trial, I never understood how. I feel the same, like my world is in shambles and THAT is inspiring I think to myself. You’ve summed it up so well ” The imperfections draw others to us to hear our stories. Christ uses our stories to piece others’ stories together.”
It’s a beautiful garment washed clean because of Him, and that is someone the world needs to see. Thank God that He restores the broken!
Hi Stephanie. Sometimes it just takes a shift in thinking to understand that we don’t necessarily need to receive the miracle for people to see Jesus in us and in our situations. Evidence of strength in the suffering is what inspires people. Especially when they see our strength comes from the Lord.
Have a wonderful day!
When my husband was going through unemployment, so many told me how I inspired and encouraged them through my faith, even though my faith felt weak, most of the time. God truly does use those hard places in our lives to encourage others.