Who Am I?

My youngest son is recovering from his surgery quickly, astounding the doctors and nurses. This picture is obviously not from the past few days, as his head was shaved for the procedure, but I wanted you to see just how handsome he is!

As mothers, we never want to see our children in pain, trouble, or difficult circumstances. We would much rather take those problems on ourselves than watch our children struggle through them. If there was any way for me to take my son’s place on the operating table, I would have! But that’s not the way God created this thing called life. We love our children immensely and care deeply, but that can only carry them so far. There comes a point when their journey is just that–theirs.

In spite of being forced to watch our children go through trials of life, we can be sure we are not alone in our concern. Not only did God create life overall, He also created each individual life. Jeremiah tells us that He knows and has a plan for each one (Jeremiah 1:5, 29:11). We don’t always understand that plan, because it doesn’t match our expectations. Perhaps things go worse than anticipated, or better than expected. God unfailingly answers prayer, but not always in a way that we expect. He says, “My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please” (Isaiah 46:10).

This week God has done more than we could ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20), but not because we deserve it. It is only for His glory and His purpose. None of us is good enough to deserve anything good from Him (Romans 3:23). King David realized this when he prayed, “Who am I, O Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?…You know what your servant is really like, Sovereign Lord. Because of your promise and according to your will, you have done all these great things. ..” (2 Samuel 7:18, 20-21).

Friends and family have been faithfully praying for us, and God has answered powerfully. Not because of who we are or what we’ve done,  but because of Who He is and what He’s done!

So, who am I? I am a mother with a voice, who can “tell the world about his unforgettable deeds” (Psalm 9:11).

Who am I? I am a mother who knows that our lives are in God’s  hands, and I can trust His plan for my children whether or not I understand it. I have seen Romans 8:28 played out in my life over and over again, and I know that as long as I live I will continue to do so, not only in my life but in my children’s as well. It says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Now, who are you?