“Revolution-a sudden, complete or marked change in something”
Revolution?! Change?! What?! I know, right?! Change is almost a dirty word. Most of us hate it, if we’re honest. However, my goal is to show you that change in the form of what I like to call a REVOLUTION, can be amazing! It’s going against the grain and forging your own way of doing things based on your faith, family, and deep personal convictions.
My goal is to simply share my story in hope that is might inspire others.
I am the wife of a pastor, 26 years and counting. We have 2 sons that are in college. Our oldest son, Ryan, is Deaf. Our youngest son, Landon, is leaving for college in a few weeks {SOB}! Some revolutions we start ourselves and others are thrust upon us. Because Ryan is Deaf, we are a signing family. Most of my life, I have had to forge my own revolution because I had no real resources to draw from. We were completely clueless about raising a Deaf child. Prayer, Prayer, and more Prayer were the only options we had. It was through those prayers that God placed the right people in our lives at the perfect time.
There have been amazing milestones and unexpected turns along our revolution journey. I am excited to get started…
On Day 9, we focused on the fact that Jesus is faithful even when we are faithless. I find that comforting. When I am struggling with my faith…He’s still faithful. I shared our decision to learn and teach Ryan sign language.
Ron and I decided to take parallel paths in our approach to Ryan’s deafness…sign language AND technology. We were actively learning about different kinds of hearing aids that would help Ryan hear and understand sound. Ryan’s ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialist) wanted him to have an MRI to detect any inner ear abnormalities that would possibly be reversible with surgery.
The MRI revealed that Ryan was missing his Semicircular Canals. Semicircular Canals are basically your balance center. They are responsible for sending signals to the brain that help you keep your balance. Well, Ryan did not have those. At two and a half years old Ryan had learned to sit up but was not walking yet. He was in physical therapy twice a week but it had not helped.
Of course our next question to Ryan’s ENT was if he would ever be able to walk. His answer…possibly. He explained that Ryan’s balance would have to be learned. It was not instinctual for him. The ENT felt it would be possible… but it would be difficult.
“Lord, Ryan may or may not walk?! Okay, You and me…we need to talk…spare bedroom!”
Interestingly, this time in the spare bedroom I was not overwhelmed, I was not discouraged, I was not having a faith crisis. I was in warrior mommy mode. “Lord, I will do everything within my power to help Ryan walk. I need you to help me do that, please.” I was determined that if Ryan was unable to walk, it was not for lack of trying.
Ryan was strong-willed and I was sure he was up for the challenge. So, we found him a pint-sized walker and set about teaching him to use it. Simultaneously, we were testing out different hearing aids each month to see if Ryan would benefit from any of them. More on that to come.
Read Colossians 1:9-13
This is a letter that states how Paul and Timothy were praying over the church at Colossae.
What did Paul ask The Lord to “fill” the followers of Christ with?
He asked that they be filled, so that they could accomplish what?
It took over two and a half years, but this little girl was growing up spiritually. I had cried before The Lord, vented my anger and frustration, and grieved the loss of normalcy. He faithfully listened and provided guidance, wisdom, and help along my Faith Journey. I was now resolved that He was my wisdom Giver and faithful Provider in every situation. That did not mean I was not overwhelmed at times, but I had come to know and experience His faith affirming presence too often to deny. He was filling me up with His holiness “so that I would bear fruit in every good work and grow in the knowledge of God.”
How is The Lord “filling you up” in the knowledge of Him? Pray and thank Him for His active work of refining in your life. He has a purpose in the preparation…Hang in there!
Ryan and his walker…he was quite the little speedster!
Going before the Father on your behalf. Stay on the faith path, my friend!
On Day 4 we focused on the goodness of our God. We learned that God’s goodness is not based on His actions alone…it’s who He is. When we try to define God’s goodness from our limited perspective, we will be disappointed. God’s ongoing work in our lives is to produce His holiness. Often, that can be a painful process.
Today, let’s focus on the process of becoming holy. Holiness is not something we will fully achieve this side of glory. Holiness is the ongoing, active work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
I was beginning to learn this process of holiness throughout our Ryan story. At that time, I was completely desperate for The Lord’s presence, comfort, peace, guidance, help, and any other adjectives that can be added to this list. I was desperate…period. My desperation kept drawing me back to Him constantly. I did not know much, but I knew enough to seek the Only One who had answers.
My prayer journal entry from August 1996 (six weeks after our Ryan’s open-heart surgery):
” Lord, I praise You that Ryan is getting stronger every day. I see progress. However, his pediatrician is concerned that he is not sitting up on his own yet. We are starting physical therapy. Please help Ryan to gain strength.
I am tired. I thought that after his open-heart surgery all would be good. Why is he not meeting benchmarks? Lord, help my unbelief when things get difficult. Help me to rest in Jesus…In the calm assurance of His grace and mercy. Your Word says that you have a plan and purpose for my life (and Ryan’s) and that you are faithful to complete it.
Once again, I come before you and beg that You, oh Lord, empty this vessel of self and fill it with Your Holy Spirit to be used and poured out for Your glory.
I love you, Lord, make it my heart’s desire to follow and cling to you even when I don’t “feel” like it, when I’m tired…overwhelmed…discouraged…struggling with unbelief.
Please give me strength and wisdom to be Ryan’s mom. You have trusted me with this special gift. I don’t want to mess up. I NEED You, I cannot do this on my own.”
Read Romans 5:1-5
According to verse 3 and 4 what does suffering produce in our lives if we hold steadfast to our faith?
Answer honestly…would you have these characteristics if not for your difficulties, suffering, or trials?
I know I would not. Utter and desperate dependence on The Lord Jesus has come as a result of my sufferings. My suffering has produced perseverance. My hope in Christ is the result of my perseverance (patience). My hope and faith established in Jesus Christ alone, brings about the sanctification of holiness.
Read James 1:2-5
What does the testing of our faith bring? What about the work of perseverance or patience?
The word perseverance or patience (in some translations) is the Greek word humomone.This word does not describe passiveness but an active endurance.
In Tony Evan’s book, “Your Comeback,” he states:
“We often make the mistake of being inactive when we’re facing trials and challenges of life. When the mountain seems too high to climb or too large to move, we sit and leave it all for God to do. But, too often, while we think we are waiting on God, He is actually waiting on us. He is waiting to see if we will take an action of faith, even in the face of the impossible.”
The impossible is possible with God alone! But, we have to be actively pursuing our faith journey with Him. Sometimes, we become so paralyzed by our circumstances that we do nothing. Our faith is not passive. It’s active. God is working in and through us continually. AND, we must actively pursue Him with our obedience. Our Creator God has so much to teach us. Let’s be actively involved in the process of learning.
Don’t know what to do…tell Him. Feeling overwhelmed…tell Him. Struggling with unbelief…tell Him. Battling discouragement and/or depression…Tell Him. Actively seeking God, in the midst of struggles, will produce godly characteristics, called holiness.
Pray and ask The Lord to bring about His holiness through perseverance as you actively seek Him. He is faithful to do it!
Keep on trucking through our Faith Journey. Jesus is so worth it! I’m praying for you, my sojourning sister!
