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A friend of mine posted on her blog recently that one of the books she read with her daughters this past summer was Evidence Not Seen by Darlene D. Rose. Though I haven’t read Darlene Rose’s book in a long time, my friend’s post reminded me about this most favorite book of mine. It was a source of blessing and encouragement to me at a time in my life when I needed to be reminded that the Lord loves me and is still there even when it seems He had abandoned me.
I think another reason Darlene Rose’ testimony means so much to me is that she is the kind of woman I want to be: strong in faith, loving the Lord in the dark times, faithful in the hard times, trusting God thru it all.
Another tremendous woman of faith that has shared her life’s experiences is Elizabeth Elliott. I also highly recommend her books to women of any age – her writings and teachings are timeless.
And I have the privilege of personally knowing such strong, humble, quiet, and faithful women. Several are care givers of a parent or spouse and are dealing with far worse situations than I am; two others are young ladies in their 30s and have never been married, yet they live their single-ness with dignity, grace, and a precious smile; and the Lord has blessed me with the friendship of several teen girls that show me optimism and hope for a bright future lived in the center of the Lord’s perfect will for them.
These are the kind of woman I want to be, but in all honesty I cringe back from the possibility of hardship and suffering that the Lord often uses to show His mighty love and comfort. I want the blessing without the pain!
While I fail to be this kind of woman, I need to be around them – to see their smile in the midst of their struggle, to hear of the Lord’s comfort in the depths of their hurt, to read their testimony of how the Lord delivered them – because it encourages me and challenges me to do as Paul wrote in Philippians 3:14, “... press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
I may never reach my goal, may fall on my face and make a complete mess some days, but I take great comfort in knowing that, by the Lord’s grace, I am not what I used to be. And that, more than anything, keeps me seeking the Lord for more grace and more strength. The greatest blessing is that He is willing to give it ... I just need to be surrendered to receive it.
Caregiver, remember that you are loved with an everlasting love! Stay on your knees, and keep looking up!
Shared in love,
Chris
