Happy Birthday

“…and those the LORD has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.”Isaiah 35:10

My sweet grandmother sent me this precious verse to me on my birthday. I was touched so deeply by it. I would never have guessed that in three years I could claim this verse to be true. I always knew deep down that God would carry me through. I just could not conceive of what it would look like. Three years ago, the most precious gift I ever received was taken by cancer. I never dreamed that I would make it through this tragedy, must less live again. As I reflect on the last few months, I am amazed at how God rescued me from so many obstacles. I am so grateful for His faithfulness.

Although so much was taken from me in 2008, I have seen God bring joy back into my life in multiple ways. First and foremost, my book has brought Meredith back to life in a way. Even though I cannot feel or touch her, her memory is bound in that beautiful pink and green book. God promised me as I was writing, “Will You Trade Your Dreams for His?” That Meredith’s memory was not in a gravestone or just in the hearts of those who knew her, but that it would be spread all over. God has been so good in keeping His promises to me. Thank you to all of you who have bought it. My sales have been astounding and I have had many opportunities to speak locally on my experience with loss, pain, and God’s healing. Everything I have lost, God has given back to me.

The other amazing and redemptive blessing I have received is a loving man. After my divorce, I thought I could never trust again. The disappointment and heartache I experienced was devastating. But, through writing my book and attending Mending the Soul, I found that I could place my trust in my Heavenly Father and in turn trust another man--with God’s help. It has been so sweet to see God redeem this part of my life. I cannot wait to marry him.

Finally, God has strategically placed me in an amazing workplace full of support and grace. Not only that, I am doing something that I absolutely love—helping people. If you asked me a little over a year ago if I would be in this job, I would have laughed. But, God knew all along just where I belonged. I get to use my story of pain and healing to help people in the midst of great challenges. I have been able to say with confidence that God is ENOUGH.

When you go through great challenges, God places certain people in your life to encourage you. I can remember a bereaved parent telling me that the loss of his child ultimately lead him to change his entire career and begin helping people. He encouraged me that God would use my pain and to just hold on. I remember not believing him—now I know it to be true.