“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” John 13:14-15 (NIV)
Last Fall, a woman with a beautiful spirit came into my life. She stole my heart. For what reason at that time, I did not know. She was just one of those people that you meet occasionally and just know God has a bigger purpose for bringing the two of you together.
To my surprise a few weeks ago, I met her with news unexpected. As she poured out her soul to me, I learned she had just recently found out she was HIV positive.
What does one say when someone shares such news as this with you?
Well God knew this day would come. He had already prepared me for what would take place next.
What reaction would I have at this news?
To my surprise, it was a sweet calmness and peace as she shared with me what she was facing. God had definitely prepared me!
You see, about five years ago one of my children became very sick. DEATHLY SICK. We were told to rush him to the hospital immediately before he went into heart failure. This news came through a phone call from our pediatrician after blood tests came back verifying he had extremely low blood counts. What came over the next six months were tons of grueling tests trying to pinpoint the possible cause.
I will never forget the one particular appointment during this long process when the doctor explained to me that maybe, just maybe, he had HIV. My heart all of a sudden felt like it was going to beat out of my chest. You see at that moment, the first thought was not of him dying, it was how he would be treated in this world if he did have HIV.
Thank you Jesus that later tests confirmed he did Not have HIV. Eventually, we came to find out the cause of his sickness was a severe B12 deficiency. I am so thankful he is now a very healthy young man (after lots of B12 injections).
I share this with you because in the middle of storms, we wonder why God would ever allow trials to take place in our life…. especially to our children.
You see, God allowed that storm so I would be prepared to listen to my friend share with me that day. He used it so I could help her remain trusting in Jesus through all she is still facing.
But mostly I would say God used it so I would not be afraid to hug her tight afterwards as I said a prayer with her.
I honestly know without the scare of my child possibly being sick with such a scary disease, I would have been SO afraid to hug her.
Instead, as she shared with me I was nudged and reminded by the Holy Spirit to listen closely to her, hug her tight afterwards, and say a prayer that stirred her soul to remain faithful through this. He truly prepares us so we can give Him the glory!
God bless! Love you all!!
