Three Life-Altering Lessons for Christian Women
Jan 22, 2019My Dearest Sisters in Faith,
As we walk this intricate path of life, I am compelled to share with you three profound lessons that have been etched into the tapestry of my journey. These revelations have shaped my perspective, deepened my faith, and allowed me to find strength in vulnerability.
The journey commences with a life-altering moment - a near-fatal car accident that should have claimed my life. As my husband and I faced the terrifying collision, the unimaginable occurred: we miraculously survived. However, my injuries were extensive, leading to a grueling week and a half in the hospital. During this time, our family relied on the benevolence of others.
The first lesson I wish to impart is the power of allowing others to serve us. I confess that I've always been fiercely independent and ardently committed to serving others. But this harrowing experience forced me to embrace the vulnerability of needing help. A teenage girl from our church, alongside an incredible network of friends and community members, stepped in to assist with childcare, cleaning, and various tasks. Through this, I discovered the profound beauty of being on the receiving end of service. I realized that love is a cycle - one that begins with serving but also flourishes through receiving.
As Christian women warriors of light, we must grasp that this lesson aligns with the scriptural teaching of loving your neighbor as yourself. To truly love others, we must first learn to love ourselves and allow the cycle of service and love to flow.
In the next chapter of my journey, after relocating to Arkansas, I encountered the second transformative lesson. My son Nathan had already been diagnosed with autism, and our challenges multiplied when our third son, Jacob, was also placed on the autism spectrum. Juggling a household with four kids, only one of whom could communicate verbally, was a daunting task. Nathan's unique challenges, like communication difficulties and sensory issues, presented a set of hurdles, while Jacob's hyperactivity and ADHD added to the complexity. Our family outings often ended in disappointment, and I was overwhelmed by the feeling of being unable to experience the simple joys of life, like going for a family walk.
Amidst my struggles and a deep emotional conversation with God I tearfully asked, "Why do I have two children with autism? Why can't we even go on walks like a normal family? Why can't we be a normal family?" The whispered answer penetrated my grieving soul, "This is normal for you." God urged me to stop comparing my family's struggles to others and to accept our unique journey. I realized that the key to finding peace and contentment was embracing our family's version of normal. I learned to focus on my children's small, meaningful progress, celebrating their achievements rather than measuring them against conventional standards.
This lesson of embracing our family's "normal" transformed my perspective. I understood the value of patience in the journey of learning these life-changing lessons. I encourage you to be patient with yourselves and appreciate the uniqueness of your experiences, reminding you that healing and transformation take time.
Shortly after this epiphany, I had another eye-opening lesson I learned after navigating the challenges of raising my two sons with autism. As I grappled with the daunting reality of my children's diagnoses and the uncertainty of their future, I learned the significance of true faith. I happened to be listening to a preacher tell the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the Old Testament, who displayed unwavering faith when faced with a fiery furnace. They knew God could deliver then, just as I knew he could heal my sons, but they answered, "But if not." They knew God could, but if He chose not to, they would still believe.
Initially, I struggled with accepting my children's conditions. I desperately plead to God for their healing, fearing that their autism would disrupt my envisioned perfect life. My internal resistance to embracing their unique challenges led me to embark on a journey of deeper faith. I knew I needed to get to a place where I could tell God, "I know you can heal my boys, but if not I will trust you with my journey."
Over the course of a year, I diligently sought God through prayer, scripture, and church attendance, even when it seemed challenging. I remained committed to maintaining a schedule that suited my children's needs, providing them stability. Through my perseverance, I gradually felt God subtly guide the transformation in my heart. The relentless angst I had felt for years began to fade, and I found peace.
I realized that true faith wasn't about immediate solutions but about accepting God's will, even when it deviated from my desires. My journey had led me to a place where I could finally say, "Thy will be done." This hard-earned realization spoke to the strength of my faith and God's patient molding of my heart.
I encourage you, dear sisters, to persist in prayer, seek inner nourishment through God's word and community, and be patient in your journey of deepening faith. Remember that transformation takes time, often arriving in gradual, glimmering moments, and that it's essential to remain open to God's plan and timing.
May these three lessons I've shared inspire and empower you on your own unique journey. With love and faith, we can find strength in vulnerability, embrace our version of normal, and develop unwavering faith in God's plan.
Yours in Faith and Sisterhood,
Tamara K. Anderson
