One Faith
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“I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord” Psalm 27:13
Across from the mail boxes in my townhouse complex is a house adorned with flowers. As I fetch my mail I stop to admire the floral work of art my friend Yvonne has created. But it wasn’t always so, she told me.
Seven years ago, the doctor predicted that Yvonne had only months to live. Hearing the doctor’s prognosis, Yvonne lost all interest in gardening.
“What’s the point,” she thought. I won’t be here to see it anyway. But sitting around moping didn’t suit her either.
Questions about faith? Bring your doubts
Why would I need faith?: Find some answers
One day she had a serious talk with herself. “I was terminal when I was born so what’s new?” she said. “Only God knows the exact time of my death but until then I’m going to live each day with enthusiasm. After all I serve a God of hope, not despair.”
Yvonne went outside and planted some tulip bulbs. Soon it was time to plant flowers into hanging baskets and clay pots and flower beds. Amazingly, Yvonne began to feel much better.
“Planting is a faith-filled action,” she told me. “You have to have faith that the little seed or fragile plant will grow and flourish under your care. That kind of active faith spilled over into my health concerns as well. I knew that God was in control of my life and all would be well. Sure, I might not see my flowers bloom come spring but it was okay. Someone else would be sure to enjoy them.”
And for seven more years, we neighbors have enjoyed the fruit of Yvonne’s labors. Hanging baskets overflowing with petunias and impatiens of every hue and window boxes brimming with bright red geraniums and purple heliotrope adorn her house. Her flower beds are a radiant display of carpet roses, lilies, lobelia, alyssum, phlox and many other flowers. Birds scratch for seeds in two feeders. A slight breeze plays on the chimes.
Although Yvonne’s health is in decline once more, she keeps going. “Nothing will ward off that helpless, ‘I’m-a-victim’ feeling as some positive faith-filled action,” she says.
Lord, help me to rise to my challenges with hopeful actions fueled by your eternal hope. Amen.
Question: Are you dealing with a difficult challenge in your own life? How does God continue to encourage you despite challenging circumstances?
About this Author: Helen Grace Lescheid
Tags: despair, Devotional, faith, God, helen lescheid, hope, patience, trouble, trust, Women
9 Responses to “One Faith”
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The first person I thought of when I read this devotional was my husband. 3 years ago he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. That this vibrant, active executive (55 years old) would be struck down with something so debilitating just seemed so unfair. But we live in a sinful world where many people are stuck down with illness and God has promised never to leave us, never to forsake us. I’m certain that God uses these struggles to draw us closer to Him. God is doing amazing things through this wonderful man. He is a testimony of God’s grace and strength. He has accepted this call on his life and is determined not to let it define who he is. He is a Christian depending on God first and foremost. It’s not easy, in fact it’s very hard but he never complains. He just keeps moving forward with a strength that surprises most people we know. I thank God for the wonderful man he is developing through this very hard situation. I hope that this might encourage someone here today. “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” 2 Cor. 9:8.
Thanks for the postive devotional and all your positive responses. They all minister to me. God Bless
Thank God for today’s devotional. I think most of us are suffering from one sickness or the other but i want us to keep trusting in God because there is nothing too big for Him to do. He has healed many and is still healing, dont look at the situation you are in but on Him. He has taken our infermities and has nailed it on the cross.God be with us all.
I have osteoarthritis and liver is not good i just got back to work and have been prayin that my hip doesn’t get any worse Yvonne gave me confidence, i will stay positive like Yvonne i know god is in control thank you jesus for todays devotional
Wonderful witness- thank you for writing it and Yvonne for agreeing to share it with the rest of us.
Ah . . . I can relate to today’s devotional. I had a stroke 9 years ago was paralyzed on the right side and, also, impaired my speech. I found out I have an antibody in my blood which makes the blood thick—only 2% of the people have it. I had to quit teaching. Then about 3 years ago I developed lupus, which is caused by the same antibody. Yes, this did put a damper on my gardening. However, I am back to yardwork, including mowing and weeding, and we plant a vegetable garden each year. I work out (abs/core class, body sculpturing, cardio, weights, and walking). People see me work out and they have no idea I was paralyzed (thank you, Lord, for your healing and your grace). When people first start working out, they get discouraged. It is easy for me to encourage them. I explain what I have been through and for them to “stick it out” . . . . to hang in there . . . they will get stronger. We can do the same thing with sharing the Lord. We can encourage others in their walk and we can pray for them. Thank you, Helen (hey, that’s my mom’s name!), for today’s devotional. I would like to see Yvonne’s garden. :-) Blessings to everyone.
What a wonderful encouraging piece. Yvonne is a great testimony to living life with a positive attitude. I am going through a separation after being married 26 years. I too hope that I can carry on with this kind of attitude. Our house will go up for sale next week and that alone makes me sad. Our children agree with this this separation and have been very supportive to both of us. I just have to keep trusting that God will give me the strength through all of this.
God encourage me from the moment I open my eyes in the morning till the minute I go to be. Just breathing everyday is encouraging to me. God uses strangers in the road, sometimes the homeless people encourage me just to see that smile upon their faces. They don’t know where there help is going to come from but they have hope and faith. That really encourages me daily. Reading the word of God uplift my spirit and your email everyday give me more hope and faith knowing I serve a living God. That is a miracle
Love to all of you
Fiona