As I close in on the third trimester of this pregnancy, I’ve been feeling like it might be time to let go of some of my outside commitments.
Yes, I am officially slowing down so I can put my feet up every night. Could I sound any more like an old lady? But it’s the best treatment for my pregnancy-induced varicose veins and I know it’s what I need to do.
This Thursday will be my last time volunteering at the Women’s Pregnancy Center for a while and I’m going to miss it. I love our clients and our program’s mission (to create a supportive community for parents-to-be, equipping them to love, nurture, and protect their children). I am really going to miss our staff and volunteers. The men and women who give their time to serve at WPC are warm, generous, and ready to help anyone who needs it—they are high quality people.
About a month ago, our director told us that one of our volunteers had been attacked by her Great Dane. She’d been trying to soothe her dog after a seizure when he bit her in the face without warning. She was rushed to the hospital and got ninety stitches on her face.
Last week she came back to help, even though she is still healing, still on a liquid-only diet, and still dealing with pain. As we sat in a circle with our clients during small group time, she shared the details of her story and explained all the ways God protected her and her family. It happened during nap time when her toddler and kindergartener were safely tucked in bed. She’d been on the phone with the vet, so her dog’s bottom jaw actually went into her mouth, which made her facial injuries less severe. “And he didn’t get my eyes at all, though he came pretty close,” she said, tracing the scar’s line up between her eyes to her forehead.
“I know God has a reason for this,” she said later as we stood out in the parking lot talking. “It’s going to be part of my testimony.” We asked what else she’ll need to do for her treatment. She said she needs more dental work and that she’ll see the plastic surgeon again in December to talk about what else she might want to have done cosmetically. They can do laser treatment to minimize scarring, she explained. “But I’m okay if I always look the way I do now,” she said casually.
As I drove home that night I couldn’t stop thinking about how beautiful she looked as she told her story. There was no trace of self-pity in anything she said. She didn’t talk much about the trauma of it all—how it felt to know she’d have to give up the dog she loved like one of her babies, what it was like to see her children panic over the blood on her face, or how it felt to look in the mirror for the first time and realize the severity of what had happened. She didn’t even mention the pain of her treatments or complain about her all-liquid diet. She was quick and matter-of-fact about the details and mostly just talked about God’s blessings.
She basically radiated the glory of Jesus out of every pore.
It made me think about a few recent meltdowns I’ve had over such important, earth-shattering things like potty-training frustration and the temporary discomfort of pregnancy, about missing my family up north and feeling over-tired.
My friend’s joy and gratitude in the middle of her crisis is shocking. She is not normal and I mean that in the best possible way. It was awesome to watch her share with our clients and know that they were probably amazed by her the same way I am. She has something we all want, whether we realize it or not: life-defining confidence in the goodness of God. It leads to a level of joy that can’t be stolen away by circumstances, no matter how hard.
“Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” — Matthew 5:16
Wow…. What an incredible story. Your friend’s testimony is solid gold. May God use her in power as she continues to respond to the tragic dog attack with bravery and the confidence of someone who has truly put her life into God’s hands. Thanks so much for sharing this. You wrote it well, and I especially like your last two sentences about the goodness of God.
Thanks for the encouraging words, Mom. They mean a lot, especially coming from a professional!
Linnea that was beautiful! It means so much to me to read that. You, Darian, Betty Jo, Clint, etc have been such role models for me to live a better life in Christ and I look up to you all so much. I’ve often found myself thinking of how one day I hope my walk with Christ leads me to be as influential as you all have been to me and the clients
It’s truly amazing to hear you looked at me in the same light. Thank you!
I told Adam the other day, “Whenever I start to complain, I hope I remember Jamie and close my mouth.”
You are truly an inspiration!
You get it, sweet girl. You just get it!!
Aww, thanks Auntie Carole!
That was a beautiful story of what God has done in this woman’s life. I can only hope to one day be half as content in the Lord as she is. He is so good! I will say a prayer for her recovery. – Kelly (from HP)
Thanks Kelly. I feel the same way!
Thank you for the beautiful words that described my daughter.
I know that God gave her the strength to do what she had to
do to protect herself and her children when it would have been
so easy to just collapse. I am so very proud of her. She has
so much healing to do but is trying so very hard to go about
her daily life. I also would like to thank everyone that has
helped her, especially her husband, Joey. Please keep her
in your prayers.
She is definitely in my prayers!
Linni, you’re an incredibly gifted young woman that I greatly admire, and so very delighted to have as my precious grandson’s wife and mother of his children. God did a GOOD thing when He brought you two together.
I pray God will fill your time throughout the rest of this pregnancy with a supernatural outpouring of His Presence, Peace, Grace, Rest, Wisdom for each day’s encounter, and a new level of ‘knowing who you are in Him and who He s in you’. He’s blessed you to be a blessing to others, and it is time to relax in who you are, and allow others to just shower you with love.
Loved the photo….was it taken at your place? AWESOME!
lOVE YOU, PRECOUS ONE,
GG
I always take a walk when I wake up and I see some beautiful sunrises! I took this one the other day on my phone.
Thank you for your sweet words.
Jamie is not normal. You are right. Everytime I talk to her, even before this event, she has stood out. Her faith and her love for God and for just anyone has amazed me. She boldy reminds me always of the Quote by Dr Suess: “Why fit in when you were born to stand out?” She truly is a witness to what and who God is! God made us a long long time ago, he knew who and what we were going to be and do when our Great Great Great grand parents were in love with God. When I look at Jamie, I don’e see scars I see God.When you look at everything around her you see God. God is love. Jamie, does not bear scars, she bears all that God wants for us in this lost lost world! One who has been through what Jamie has would normally be callous, angry and hard. But not Jamie, once again she has takena battle, a shock, she has over and over been blanketed with something in life that could devastate the strongest person, yet she turns it to the glory of God. She is exactly who god made and intended her to be. God doesnt want 75% 85% 98% of us he wants all of us, and this is what Jamie witnesses. No we do not know right now, why this happened to her, but like she said God had a reason, he always does, nothing happens that won’t somehow glorify him in some way. Whether it is by her testimony that one may come to know Jesus, or what it may say to someone else. Jamie, homey, you are beautiful. Truly at the end of each day God looks down at you as says “well done”.
When I see Jamie, I don’t see scars! I see a woman of God, who strives to be more Godly in everything she does. Her Uncle Duane and myself as well, even before ths happened, would read her posts on the internet or listen to her when we were with her, and both of us would say to each other later, wow what an image she is for what the love of having Jesus in your heart can do for someone.
When I see Jamie I do not see an scars, I see a victory, in life, in Christ! I am reminded of a scripture from Phlipppians 4: What ever is true , whatever is pure, whatever is noble, whatever is right and whatever is lovely, think about these things!
What smilr Jamie can give right now speaks of Joy. The Joy of God. The bible says be joyful, pray always, give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Jesus.
Jamie beams these scriptures (I’m sure i have mis quoted them somewhat!).She shines and she is remarkably a Woman who is just filled with the love of God.
Jamie, we love you, and you make us proud, it seeems in EVERYTHING you do! I just can’t say it LOUD enough, WE LOVE YOU and youcontinue to amaze us with your strength and will to live for God!
The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all mt heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with Joy. Psalms 28:7 That is what I see when I see Jamie! Love you girl!!!
AND I would like to say thank you for writing this about our Jamie, it is beautiful!!! She is beautiful.
What a beautiful testimony to your niece! I’m sure your words mean a lot to her.
Very inspiring. Thanks for sharing!
What a story!