Today I want you to meet my sweet, funny, amazing cyber-friend, Rachel Wojnarowski. Her story is one of God’s redeeming grace and the choice she’s made to chase after His plans and hold onto His hope — with all that she has in her.
I grew up in a wonderful Christian home with fabulous Christian parents. We were faithful to church and I graduated from Christian school. I went on to Christian college and completed the circle by teaching in a Christian school. My future husband was a “preacher boy” and when we married, the plan was that he would take a youth pastor position wherever God led. Only after we married, he had serious doubts about his calling and stopped attending church all together.
After two years of marriage, a precious daughter was born to us via emergency c-section. She experienced oxygen deprivation and required resuscitation, but she lived. Three years after Taylor’s birth, I discovered that her father had been having an affair essentially four of the five years we were married. In spite of that great protective environment I’d always known, and being faithful to God’s house, sin had erupted my “perfect” life and my marriage to this man didn’t withstand. Bad choices were made by both parties and we divorced.
In spite of all the pain and loss of the “perfect” life, God brought a solid Christian man into my life and He has given us a wonderful story of grace and redemption. But in the midst of Matt and I falling in love, my dearest mom fell severely ill, diagnosed with a rare type of anemia. Two months later the diagnosis was changed to leukemia and she lived just six short months after that. Mom was the strongest, most faithful Christian I’ve ever personally known; she was my best friend.
During my divorce and my mom’s death, the discovery process for Taylor’s developmental delays became more intense. Doctors often blamed the delays on her lack of oxygen at birth. But in my heart, I knew there was more to her issues. Nine months after my mom’s death, the diagnosis for Taylor came through: MPSIIIB, a rare, genetic metabolic disorder which causes gradual neurological degeneration. The average life span is 10-15 years and there is no cure, or even a treatment.
Upon receiving Taylor’s diagnosis, my walk with the Lord became intense. I did just what Renee talked about this week in chapter four. I asked all the why’s and the how’s. I wanted God to spill out His plan for my life in one day.
But through His Word, God has taught me that faith is not only a one-time decision; it’s an everyday decision.
Trusting His plan for your everyday life is equally as important as trusting Him for your eternal life.
While God has richly blessed Matt and me with a beautiful family and more blessings than we can count, Taylor’s disease has not changed. Every day is by faith, that God would have His will for her life and ours.
Each day we claim His promises and make the choice to run towards His plan.
Rachel, your story has changed me. The first time you shared it in an email, I got Holy goosebumps up my spine, down my arms and into my toes! Your journey of choosing hope through your past and into the present brought tears to my eyes. I’m inspired by your faith and your surrendered life. To be broken daily, like bread, held up (like loaves and fishes) as an offering of God’s of love and mercy. You my friend are beautiful – inside and out.
And here are some behind-the-scenes “only Jesus knew” details: I didn’t know Rachel’s story. When God prompted me to ask her to be a guest I wasn’t sure what part of my book she’d write about. But HE did! How precious is our Jesus? He knew we needed to hear her story and be strengthened by the way she has chosen courage and one-day-at-a-time steps of faith. The way she is choosing to walk out hope gives us all a picture of what it looks like to live the message of chapter 4 with Jesus. Thank you, Rachel!!
Connecting in Community & Today’s Giveaway: What is God speaking to your heart through Rachel’s story? Also, is there anything from the questions He’s given us for the end of Chapter 4 you’d want to share? I’d love for us to connect here and talk about it.
Rachel has just released a new Ebook, The Scent of Prayer and she is giving away 5 copies to 5 of you randomly drawn on Monday from the comments left below today’s post. Just click “share your thoughts” and do just that.
About Rachel: Rachel is originally a small town country girl who converted to a suburban mother of seven by way of life happening. She and her husband, Matt, enjoy caring for their busy family, whose ages span 9 months to 21 years and includes a special needs daughter. Rachel leads community ladies’ Bible studies in central Ohio and serves as an event planner and speaker for special needs parenting groups. She is a member of the Ohio Writers’ Guild and the National MPS Society; and loves to inspire others through her blog by sharing faith, family, and fun. Wife, mom, reader, writer, speaker and dreamer, you can find Rachel on Twitter and Facebook.
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Write! Thank you both for sharing your stories. Time and time again it seems I needed reminded that this is a daily walk and life of faith. This is a struggle, but testimonies like these give me hope.
lol I’m guessing that “Write!” was the same tone as “preach it!” We all need the daily reminders. That’s where God’s Word and a community of Christians comes in to play. Carry on with hope, Girl!
Thank you for sharing your testimony, Rachel! Truly inspiring!
It is difficult to keep a positive attitude when you feel like the person you love most has betrayed you. Sometimes those feelings make it hard to keep a strong faith. I would love to have a copy of Rachel’s book to gain encouragement to continue to live my life inside God’s will. Blessings.
Anita
Anita, yes those feelings are normal. Processing feelings and growing in faith go hand in hand. Bless you for your desire to be strong!
Amazing & inspiring story of hope in the middle of life as it comes at us. TY for sharing!
i was taken back by Rachel’s story and her strength to endure. Pray I can get thru the pain I am going through right now in my marriage.
I also have a daughter with special needs and has been hard for her. She is very sensitive of what I’m feeling. Can’t verbalize it but I see it in her face. Thank you for your prayers.
Dear Jesus, I pray for my sister, Ana, right now, and her sweet girl with special needs. I pray your strength for her, that she would know You are holding her up and she can rely on You. I pray for her daughter that You would ease her mind and give her reasons to be full of joy. Thank you, Lord for what You are going to do in and through this dear lady.
Blessings to Ana! I entered you in my prayer journal and pray you find rest in the Lord.
I so needed to read Rachel’s story today as I deal with such a heavy heart concerning my own insecurities, fears, and past hurts that I am praying will heal. You have inspired me to press on and trust God for He is the only one who knows the “whys” in my life. Your story is a powerful testimony that paints a perfect picture of how life can far from the perfect one we all dreamed of, yet the Lord is perfect and the rest and peace that we can find in His love is more than we could have ever imagined!
His plan is so very perfect. God has given us a gorgeous family; Matt and I couldn’t ask for more in our love for each other..
Wow profound story… TRUST in God is so very hard on a daily, every issue basis. I struggle with it daily and worry and anxiety creeps in regarding earthly issues of family and life. Trust and Obey there is no other way! Needing repeating many times daily in my life. Blessings to you and your family.
Funny how hard we make it, isn’t it? 🙂 Blessings to you!
God truly is faithful and I am so thankful He never gives up on us even when we question Him.Thank you for your testimony 🙂
Thank you for the amazing story.
Thank you for sharing your difficult journey with us, Rachel. It’s good to know we’re not alone in our struggles, but we serve a God who is bigger and has proven Himself faithful to us over and over.
yes He is faithful!
Wow~your strength is amazing! May God continue to bless you & your family.
Wow what faith you have. You have amazing strength thank you for sharing this. Your faith inspired me to keep persevering with God and His reward will be great.
Gods strength is displayed best when we are our weakest and leaning on him. Thanks for sharing your testimony. We always wonder why us but God chose us because He knew we would endure and then encourage others.
Yes to HIS strength. So true, Latoshia.
What a God inspired testimony.. Rachel’s story inspires me to continue my faithful journey with God. In the last 3 1/2 years I’ve had to handle so much, but I couldn’t have handle it without God. Thank you and Rachel for sharing.
Rachel, the strength of your faith is inspiring. Thank you so much for sharing your testimony.
What a sweet story. I am so glad that you stayed faithful Rachel and that you are continuing to seek him. It is an encouragement to so many people.
What an inspiring story! I love reading about people who have been through so much yet have so much faith! It inspires me to continue on my journey of developing my relationship with the Lord! Thank you so much for sharing! God bless!
Bless you Kristen! Thank you for your encouraging comment.
God bless all you dear young women with His strength and grace for your challenges. I heard Kay Warren talking about choosing joy, this morning. God’s joy, joy given to us through the Holy Spirit, the joy found in Jesus. I see all of you choosing joy with thanksgiving. You are glorifying Him, as you share your stories. His faithfulness is great and His mercies are new every morning.
Dear Lois, I sense by your comment about younger women that you are a little older. I too am encouraged to read about these young women and their choice to look to Jesus Christ in the midst of their difficulties. Often we feel alone in our struggles but by sharing with each other, we can encourage each other to go on. As older women, we have a responsibility to the younger women to teach them various things as stated in Titus 2. We can help each other and I believe that is what the Lord would desire. May He give us each the daily strength to meet every trial that comes our way as we spend time alone with Him and in the Bible.
14 months ago my 6 year old finished 28 months of treatment for Leukemia. And today I sit here reading this just before I go have a lump in my breast checked out. Trusting God in the daily… sometimes I think it’s even more important than trusting him for salvation. I sure know it’s harder. This is such an encouragement in this moment! Thank you!
Praying for you and your sweet child today. Father, we ask for everyday faith, mercy and grace. Bless you, Girl!
jess, including you&yours in my prayers. i appreciate what you wrote, “trusting God in the daily…sometimes i think it’s even more important than trusting Him for salvation. i sure know it’s harder.” oh. my. yes. so thankful, thankful, thankful that we have a Father Who never leaves nor forsakes us. <3
Wow, Rachel’s words speak volumes: “Trusting His plan for your everyday life is equally as important as trusting Him for your eternal life.” Sometimes I forget to take it just one day at a time! I often ask God to spell out His BIG plan and forget to ask for His direction just for today. Thank you for your message.
Dawn I like what you said about trusting His plan for your everday life is equally as important as trusting Him for your eternal life. I’m a member of Alcoholics Annoynomous and it is to take things One Day @ a Time, sometimes. Some days are easier than others. Thanks, Rachel for your message today. I would really like to read your book.
See Sheri Rose Shepherd’s post for today. Both, go hand in hand. I am always amazed at the unity of God’s messages in my daily news feed. Thank you for this. It encourages my faith, and gives me hope..
Rachel,
You are truly amazing and I am so touched by the story that you have shared with all of us. The words that really rang out in my spirit immediately were “Trusting His plan for your everyday life is equally as important as trusting Him fro your eternal life.” It reminds me that I do not need to be concerned about the past nor obsessed with the future but I just have to live in the present which is a gift from God. He cares about everything that concerns me and He wants me to include Him in every detail of my life. Thanks for being a living example of living and walking by faith!!!
Wow! This story is truly inspiring! It reminds me of one of my favorite scripture, Proverb 3:5. “Lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways trust and acknowledge God and he will direct your path.” God is so good! I love him so much!
Rachel, your story is exactly what I needed today. I was a single Mom of 4 boys for 17 years after my husband had an affair and our marriage ended. I thought in 2005 I had found a man yoaked as me in my faith unfortunately the relationshipment was based on lies and deception. We divorced 3 years later after an agonizing struggle due to not wanting yet another failure. I met a man in late 2010 and we have dated till March. Proverb 3:5 became my life verse during this time before the breakup. He had many good qualities but would “stretch” the truth, could manipulate me to make me think I was wrong, used my past to be so hurtful I couldn’t believe someone could do that to someone they love. He will not leave me alone and is trying to break me down thorough my faith to get another chance. I answered a phone call last night that ranged from unending love and devotion to needing to have a second chance because of my faith to the most painful things being said about me. This morning I was dealing with so much saddness and disappointment in myself that I would open myself up to that situation yet again. I learned today God brought though this situation for my good and He is not going to leave me in this pit. I now need to trust He is still directing my path and not let these evil words deter me. I will listen and stay in the right WORD and not his. Thank you