Reflections

Reflections is a weekly meme hosted by Kristin of A Simply Enchanted Life and Fizzy of Fizzy Pop Collection. Every Sunday we will dig deeper in our recent reads to explore the real-life lessons within the pages. Reading the book yourself is not necessary to participate. If you would like to host your own reflection, you’re welcome to copy and paste this introduction, with the link to our pages. You may use our current or prior reflections or come up with your own.

In ‘Bringing Maggie Home‘ by Kim Vogel Sawyer, Hazel’s baby sister was taken while they were out picking berries when she was very young. The blame that Hazel took on herself clouded her life and future relationship with her own daughter. Fear that she would ‘lose’ her too. Hazel allowed her fear of losing someone she loved to make her overly protective of her daughter Diane, which damaged their relationship. How do we learn to set aside fear and choose to trust God even when bad things befall us or our loved ones?

Almost a year ago I wrote a blog post called, ‘I Don’t Know What Her Future Holds.” My children have a chronic illness called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. So, I still find this blog post to be relevant. I’d like to quote a few key notes from that blog.

I was driving myself crazy! I had no answers. I still don’t. I want my children to be happy, healthy and successful. I want them to find love. I would love to have precious grandchildren to love, hug and cherish.

Suddenly, the light bulb went on. No one knows the future. There’s not a mom on this planet that can say with certainty where life will take her and her children. If I spend my days worrying about what the future holds, I’m going to miss amazing moments with my children. It isn’t to say that I shouldn’t pray for my children’s future but I shouldn’t have worry for the future.

Do you struggle with these worries like I do?

PRAY. Don’t Worry! God has this thing all figured out anyway and he certainly didn’t make a mistake when he gave me children with EDS. He knows their future.

Sometimes I have to go back and reread this post to remember. I’ve said it so much lately but sometimes I have to remember to let go and let God. How? Well, for me, the ‘how’ is simply surrendering to God. Learning to be content with the life we have and putting my trust in Him instead of trying to shoulder all of the anxiety alone.