Bleeding in the Midst of a Calling
Editor’s Note: This is a guest story by Ann Grace. A great devotional for you today.
Have you ever had to comfort someone after a hard fall or loss? Well, I have had my fair share of “mommy moments” where I kissed a bloody booboo or wiped the tears off a child’s face. Funny thing is though, that even in the midst of my children’s intense pain, they still managed to get back up! They didn’t let the pain or the fear of failure paralyze them to stay down or quit.
About 5 years ago, I experienced a calling of widowhood to which I failed miserably.
The overwhelming urge to find true love again led me to make a series of selfish, unwise choices in whom I choose to re-marry and become a father to my children. The wreckage left behind from my lack of wisdom have now left me broken and bloody. And the saddest part of it all is that my children have taken the blunt of the consequences from this unwanted messy divorce.
I can honestly say that the Lord has allowed me to be slayed in many ways and He has taken from me the very gifts he once gave me. And yet, there remains hope! The Lord has redeemed me and promises to hold me ever so close through this bloody battle in life that will one day work for my good and His glory.
…Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you
pass through the waters, I will be with you; and throught the rivers, they shall not overwhelm
you; when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume
you.” Isaiah 43:1-2 ESV
He continues to call me for a higher purpose in this life. And no matter how many tears I shed, I will not fear man or failure, heartache or grief, but rejoice knowing that one day, the Lord
will destroy evil and wipe away all the tears from my eyes for good! How amazing is that?! I think the Apostle Paul said it best,
“…Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of
Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I
will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in
my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
Philippians 1:18-21 ESV
So don’t look at what you see in your momentary afflictions or failures, but take heart knowing that our misery and pain will produce an eternal reward if we endure. In the midst of your bleedings, let Christ redeem you. Let Him give you the wisdom and strength to endure joyfully and love unconditionally while fulfilling your ever changing calling with excellence no matter how difficult life gets. Whether that’s being a stay at home mom, daughter, sister, friend, working women, single or married, widowed or divorced, always strive to honor Christ in all you do. Because the truth be told, our actions, especially after intense trials and tribulations whether
self-induced or not, are what others see and ultimately define us as true followers of Christ.
Ann: I am not a blogger, professional writer, photographer or foodie. I’m simply a mother of five (soon to be six) who has walked a road of grief after losing a husband and baby. I continue to encounter a Lord who is faithful. My desire is for others to know Him like I do and let Him be glorified in all I do say and do.
