Obstacle or Opportunity?

I didn’t know whether to cry or laugh. The nurse’s words rang in my ears, “She wants you in the bed.” Doctor’s orders to park myself in bed for the sake of my unborn child. His life depended on it, and mine. But I turned my gaze to the four smiling faces in the chairs next to me. Who will take care of them, God?

In an out-of-body type moment, I looked at the nurse and declared, “God will provide.” Although I’m not positive I believed it.

We pulled into the driveway, and I settled my energetic bunch for a moment before I crawled into bed and broke down. How can this possibly honor You more, God? How can I possibly serve You better from this bed than from my feet?

The next four months God sent friends and family through a revolving door to assist with my daily duties. My kids spent time every day playing in our room, and we even held a weekly women’s Bible study in the living room once my doctor cleared me to rest on the couch.

My kids survived and even thrived through those months, and me? I became a better mother.

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.” James 1:2 (NLT)

Sometimes the thing we call an obstacle, God calls an opportunity.

After much resistance, God convinced me His plan included this bed rest. He urged me to seek Him and make the most of this opportunity. And during those days I learned a lot about myself, my shortcomings, and God’s fullness.

After five months of bed rest, God resolved my condition and the pregnancy went on like nothing ever happened. In the spring I birthed our feisty fifth child – who still holds the title as our biggest baby at birth.

 

And this week we celebrate his third birthday. (Please excuse the mouth … he enjoyed his birthday cupcakes!)

His smile reminds me God never wastes a trial.

For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.” Romans 11:36 (NASB)

I pray the path you walk today is filled with peace and rest, but if you face a trial, be encouraged, everything must pass through God to get to us. And, that, my friend, is when an obstacle becomes an opportunity.