Can you still have fun at a New Year’s party? Vicki shares behind-the-scenes.
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9).
“Have you been teaching lately?” one of the guests at my husband’s company’s office party asked.
I wonder if she’ll think less of me that I am not longer able to teach full-time. She teaches at a college and has her Ph.D.
“No” was all I could reply.
Why did I feel ashamed? Was it pride? Perhaps.
Happily, we shared a warm conversation talking about trips, family, and favorite restaurants.
Not only does my MS prevent me from teaching regularly, it forces me to make life changes.
Like preparing for that party.
I had to do more than select an outfit. I had to review the document of information I’d compiled about my husband’s coworkers. That way, I could present myself as someone who genuinely cares about their lives. Which is a fact, but my cognition makes it hard for me to remember important details. So, I relied on my cheat sheet (reviewed ahead of time).
I also had to plan rest time before and after the event.
We had a wonderful time at the party. I returned home exhausted but grateful for God’s faithfulness. He provided the strength I needed and helped me recall important information. Yet, I still secretly felt ashamed of my dwindling résumé.
God, in His tenderness, spoke to my heart. He gave me His perspective of my divine résumé. Read it over and see if yours contains similar information:
Experience and Credentials:
Afflicted, yet unshaken in faith
Weak, but empowered by divine strength
Grieving losses, yet still able to rejoice
In pain, but feeling perfect peace
Unemployed, yet chosen to serve the CreatorOngoing coursework: Trust 101 (a review course), Pain 401 (a field experience), and Suffering (a master’s level course)
Reference: God
I’m not washed up. I’m washed clean by the blood of the Lamb. So, I need not fret about New Year’s resolutions. God has a plan for my life this year. I’m excited to see it unfold!
Prayer: Dear Father, What a tender Father You are! You replaced my feelings of inferiority with reminders of my royal priesthood. What an honor it is to be called by You. My New Year’s resolution is to, “declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” In Jesus’ name, Amen.
About the Author:
Vicki understands special needs as a patient, parent, and professor. She has had multiple sclerosis since 1993. Her 33 year old son was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. She’s taught special education as a teacher, administrator, and adjunct professor. Through her blog, she reaches out to other mothers of children with mental illness. http://mentalillnessmom2mom.net . Vicki wrote a picture book about bullying: Heart Eyes: Beth and the Bullies. You can find out more about that book by visiting her Heart Eyes website: www.hearteyes.net
What would you add to your divine résumé?
This is “Don’t Give Up” with Rick Muchow. Whatever you are facing today, just . . . don’t give up. Perhaps it is the physical pain that is discouraging you. Maybe you would just love the opportunity to go to a party, even if you had to decline. Maybe you are grieving an argument you had with a loved one this week, or a sadness that 2016 looks like it is going to be rough. Just don’t give up. We’re here for you. Keep the faith… because we really do care. -Lisa
This was just what the doctor ordered for me today (and God, of course!). I am recovering from a second brain surgery and I sometimes get this guilt about not participating enough…not working…not volunteering at church…as if it’s my fault somehow that I got a brain tumor! I was just reading Titus this morning and read that Paul wanted the women to be “keepers at home.” I know this is not a hard and fast “rule” in this day and age, but it freed me from the guilt I feel that right now, I am a “keeper at home!” I suffer the same things cognitively and your suggestion for making a list of the people and things to remember about them is priceless. Thank you and God bless!
Dear Linda,
A second brain surgery? Who needs guilt on top of that? I’m grateful this message encouraged you. It was inspiring to read that in the midst of your recovery and needless guilt you turned to the Bible. No surprise God met you there. I love the phrase you found in Titus: “keepers at home.” I can completely relate to that. That’s my goal: to honor God in how I fulfill that awesome job.
Together in His grip,
Vicki
You are correct, God does have a plan for each of our lives. There are times when I wish that I knew the plan, but, I trust God. He is in control. Whenever I am in physical pain, I get so sad. God comforts me and I am so thankful for His comfort. Blessings to you. Happy New Year!
Dear Melissa,
“There are times when I wish that I knew the plan”: you and me both! Your statement that you still trust God in His silence reminds me of a comment my pastor said once: “You can trust God even when you can’t track Him.”
Sounds like you have an incredible divine resume: trusting Him even when His plan hasn’t been revealed, sad and in pain yet seeking His comfort! Thanks for letting visitors to RM know it’s possible to rejoice in His comfort in the midst of suffering.
Be blessed today dear partner in pain, yet fellow rejoicer,
Vicki
I love the resume God has given you, Vicki. It’s so encouraging. It’s awesome to think of suffering as an ongoing master’s level course. That’s so true, isn’t it? He teaches us step by step to become more like Jesus. Teaching children was a passion I had, and even though it’s years later since I had to give it up due to health limitations, a missing ache still sometimes pops up at times. But I try hard to focus on what I can do instead of what I can’t. I’m so grateful my grandchildren sat on my lap as I read to them when my voice could handle it. And it’s fun to watch them grow in their reading and start reading to me. 🙂
Dear Trudy,
I share your delight in reading to grandchildren. We may not have full classrooms anymore, but we can still pass the baton to the next generation: our grandkids. We still have the opportunity to share our love for reading with our children’s children.
Our 2 granddaughters live far away so we seldom see them. Whenever we visit I always bring along a special book – often a Christian one.
I love your positive attitude: to focus on things you can still do (rather than on what you no longer can do).
Grace and peace,
Vicki
Vicki – I too love the divine resume – what a wonderful way of looking at what could be the difficulties in our lives, as the God-given opportunities to grow our dependence and relationship with Him.
Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful focus for us to have as we enter a new year
Blessings,
Fiona
Hi Fiona,
Glad you enjoyed the idea of a divine resume! I’m still enjoying the concept. The trust course is a review because I need to remind myself over and over again that God is SO trustworthy. Like a backseat driver, I yank the controls out of His hands saying, “I got this, Lord.” As I reflect on the heavenly coursework, it’s amazing to realize HE does all the work…if we let Him.
May God bless you with awesome insights this coming year.
Vicki
Thank you Vicki for the reminder of who I am. I was able to take a deep breath as I read 1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light”. O how I needed to be reminded of that beautiful verse tonight! If you only knew. May the Lord bless you (Numbers 6:24-26).
Dear Angie,
I surely can’t know how much you needed to be reminded of 1 Peter 2:9. Maybe even those close to you can’t fully know how much you needed to hear those precious words. But God knows. I’m so grateful He knows our deepest sorrows and longings.
Thanks for blessing me with the passage in Numbers. Don’t ya just love it when you find a gem in a book of the Bible like Numbers? That passage is filled with such encouragement that I wanted to pass it along…every word:
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
For people who like lists, that’s one amazing list!
In summary, grace and peace,
Vicki
Vicki, thanks for sharing this experience with us. I can certainly identify. Your prayer inspires me too.
What would I add to my spiritual resumè?
That I try, like Trudy, to focus on what I can do rather than what I can’t.
That I’m loved and accepted unconditionally by God because our Saviour, whose birth we’ve been celebrating.
Gentle hugs and best wishes for 2016,
Beth
Oh Beth, I love what your divine resume includes!
May God continue to bless you as you declare His praises in 2016.
A fellow heir in His royal priesthood,
Vicki
Vicki so enjoyed this devotional! The way you turn around the negative feelings, thoughts and insecurities, creating instead a true picture of our life devoted to our Lord. In a time when everything is being “repurposed” it is so comforting to know and realize God does the same with us, only the purpose is far beyond anything here on earth, and much more important. Thank you for your encouragement!
Blessings and peace to you! Di
Hi Di,
You really captured the take-away message in one sentence: ‘it is a true picture of our life devoted to our Lord.’ Those of us whose symptoms have left us feeling inferior can lift our heads high. Because the purpose God has for us is “far beyond anything here on earth, and much more important.” Amen!
Here’s an assurance we have for the New Year: “The Lord replied, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest’” (Exodus 33:14)
Resting in Him,
Vicki
Thank you, Vicki, for this well-written, encouraging and inspiring devo! EXACTLY what I needed to read today as I look back on 2015 and all of the changes and ahead to 2016 and all of the unknowns. God knows and that is really all that matters!
Many thanks, abundant blessings and a glorious new year to you! 🙂 J
Yes Jennifer, with all of the unknowns ahead of us in 2016, “God knows and that is really all that matters!”
I needed this message as much as you…I think I’m gonna print it out to use as a reminder on days I need a refocus (off my insecurities and pain, and back onto the purpose He has for me).
May you also have a glorious new year filled with His abundant blessings,
Vicki