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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Rachel, you and your family are truly inspiring. I have been following a little boy and his dog on Facebook who has MPSIII-A. His name is Lucas Hembree. He is amazing! God has such great plans for everyone, no matter their physical, mental or even spiritual state. He takes the broken to show us, as Christians, how to be compassionate, caring and to help us realize that our idea of perfection is far from God’s idea of perfection! Please know that I will be praying for you and your family and also that I am so grateful for the blessing of your and Taylor’s story.
I know Lucas!! 🙂 isn’t that so true ?! “Our idea of perfection is far form God’s idea of perfection!”
Thanks for the reminder that it is just as important to trust God with my day to day life as it is with my eternal life. I’m not there yet, but I’m on my way!
Rachel and Renee,
You both are such blessings to me! I started reading chapter 4 and when I got to the questions and read.about doing the timeline. I cried and I prayed. I contacted My Christian counselor. I went thru a divorce In November 2011. I started counseling in June 2011 when I saw where my marriage was headed. God was with me all the way! I had so many why and how questions. After praying God would show my counselor what I needed to get thru Chapter 4 I went in one woman and came out a more confident woman. My counselor told me in January 2012 our counseling was over it was time for me to live what I had learned. She hadn,t heard of Confidant Heart book yet she explained to me what my false beliefs were and helped me sort out why I had them. I kept saying as Renee did what,s wrong with me? Why or how did my husband treat me the way he did? I realized that my why,s and how,s came from how I viewed my mom from being mistreated by my dad. I thought in my young mind she was stupid for staying and that she had no value. I was so ready to see why I had false beliefs. I felt bad but I felt good. I felt bad that I had viewed things in the wrong manner based on what the enemy whispered to me. I felt good that I realized the lies and the scriptures my counselor gave me were the scriptures in Renee,s book! I am so excited! I also realized that both of your journeys were shared to help me on my journey! Thank you Jesus! Thank you ladies! Freedom from my deepest fears and pain. Truth is the answer. Much love to you both!
Thank you so much for sharing your awesome story.. You are indeed encouraging and inspiring! You said some things I needed to have a remembrance of…. God Bless you!! I definitely have to get your book!
Blessings upon Blessings to all of you!!
Wow! That’s all I can say. I am just now beginning to learn to lean on God and trust in Him. It is not easy for me, but the more I do it, the easier I’m hoping it will get.
I admire Rachel for sticking in there after one thing after another thing kept coming up. God bless her for it. So often these days we quit before rounding the corner and receiving the prize God has for her. Great Going.
Trusting His plan for your everyday life is equally as important as trusting Him for your eternal life…Wow, that is exactly what I had to do this week. This is a great reminder to continue to trust Him everyday which seems difficult at times. It was so much easier to trust Him for eternal life than on a daily basis. I do not know why that is the case for me but this week God has really shown me that I can even trust Him with the things I am not to sure about.
Rachel, many thanks for sharing your story. Powerful words “faith is not only a one-time decision; it’s an everyday decision.” Amen!
Thanks, Rachel for sharing your story. Our God is a faithful God. Your children are so beautiful and so are you. Praise GOD for reminding you that faith is an everyday decision and for your reminder that we are to trust God for not just eternal life but everyday life. Our God cares about every aspect of our lives. Our God is a healer. shall pray for your oldest child’s complete healing. May God bless you richly.
Thanks,
Anna
Thank you Renee for introducing us to Rachel and thank you Rachel for sharing your story. I agree, faith is an everyday decision and walk with the Lord. I so appreciate your testimony and i pray for your daughter and the unknown days ahead Praise God we have Him to have faith and hope in for without Him we would have nothing. I watched my mom as she also battled a rare blood disorder/cancer that had no cure and gave her 3 to 5 years. By God’s grace and her strong faith and testimony in him she lasted 8 before the Lord finally said the battle was over, it was time for her to come home to Him. Since 1994 my dad has battled heart disease, prostate cancer, bladder cancer, 4 stage melanoma and recovered (except for his heart) and has been fighting stage 4 lung cancer for the last 4 years without chemo treatments. The Dr’s. gave him 1 to 1½ years and as i said it has been 4 and he is still going strong. FAITH – a good strong FAITH in the Lord got my mom through, is getting my dad through and as an only child with an only child watching them and seeing their example has taught me that FAITH too will get me through. FAITH in my GOD. Praying for you and your family.
Renee, really enjoyed reading rachels story!thanks for sharing.
As a pediatric OT, I’m deeply moved by this story. It helps me personally and professionally. Thanks for sharing.
Very inspiring! God is so good. Thank you for showing us that even if it isn’t easy, everyday we can chose to live in His promises. And that is enough, and all we need. Through Him who strengthens us!
Would love to read the book!
thank you for this sweet message, this message of God’s Truth and perfect Hope….regardless of life’s “happenings.” How I needed to hear your story today, and I praise Him for the courage and hope you have given to my heart. May the Lord bless you and keep you ever near.
Thank you so much for sharing your testimony. I can not imagine what it would be like to hear those words about your child ” No cure”, I admire your heart for God and the strength that you have. I am going through and illness right now and am unsure of many things, But I am sure that God has a plan in all of this, I am sure that He sees me and knows what I am going through. Although at times I get overwhelmed, as I am sure you do, and my thoughts consume me, I know that I am not on this journey alone and what a comfort it is to have such a caring God.
God bless you and your family!
Thanks to all of the women that shared their thoughts and experiences, and faith. i have also been thru the despairs of infidelity, and betrayal. they were very difficult times and still are. I have stood firm on my faith and HOPE and trust in the Lord. He has been so good to me, and still some days that is not enough for me.. i ask the why me?? questions,, why do i have to work so hard, or not have someone special as a partner in my life.. but i do hope that he is preparing me to be a better woman, for the man he provides in his timing. I know i don’t need a man.. at this point i have been divorced 4 years, raising 15, 18 and 20 year old.. my ex is alcoholic, but in my heart i still love him and care for his healing. he has been thru rehab, and does ok.. but there is still alot of pain in life. My children have been wonderful, strong, and the oldest is now seeking the Lord like i never imagined.. So everyday we live thru the struggles, someone..we don’t know who,,, but someone learns from our faith.. K eep the faith ladies… God is Good All the Time..!! ::):) Keep Running with Courage!!
Wow! what a testimony Rachel. Your walk is inspiring. Thank you for sharing.
I am always hoping God will show me His plan for me – sure it’s the broad scope of things, but I want it now…in MY timing! I really needed to read this today, for it is not our will but His – not our time but His. May I remember every morning to ask God to show me what He wants me to see for the day. God bless you, Rachel and Renee, for sharing with us and opening up a piece of your heart to us. In a world that says it’s all about me, you are making it all about God and others. Thank you…
Today, right now, I just want to cry.
I’ve tried to remain so strong in God’s purpose but I must not be doing things right. I must not be tapping into my resources OR something.
My mother has been the glue in our family and when she became ill, my travels took me 12 hours home to care for her and my dad just about every three months. At the start of it all, I was homeschooling and had a newborn. When it was too much, they came here with me and my family.
Dad died in October, mom has been in and out of the hospital since & today during a doctor’s visit – she was sent directly to the ER.
I feel no relief and I try – honestly I do – through prayer and real conversations with God to hold up in the midst of it all. I feel there is absolutely NO ONE earthly available to render a supporting leg. So, today – I cry out to Christ to be my strength during such a turbulent time.
Of all the calls I’ve made to find someone to watch my children, no response, so I am going to have to take both with me back to the ER if she’s not admitted before I can get back to her. I have to trust the hands of those whose care she is in b/c I can NOT be in two places but my heart IS!!!!
Rachel, your LIFE is an inspiration that although one blow after another comes…GOD remains faithful. And I trust His plan and purpose as I depend moment-by-moment on Him.
(My posted name has changed…because God is always so GRACIOUS)
To our sweet friend “God’s Grace Is Given…” – I am so sorry for all that you are going through. I wish I lived close by. I’d take those babies of yours and watch them for you. I have been in your shoes and felt like I was living in the middle of impossible. We had just adopted a baby, had two older sons, my mom was rushed to the ER and hospitalized for blot clots in her lungs, my father had to have a quadruple bypass and a month later I had my routine mammogram and they found two lumps that had to be biopsied….all while I was writing A Confident Heart. A year later, my father passed away and my mom was hospitalized again. I share a lot my story and what happened to me during all of this in Chapter 9.
I want to encourage you to read chapter 9 if you can. I am praying for God to surround you with friends and family who can step in and fill in your gaps. You can only do what you can do – and just depend on HIM one breath and moment at a time. HE will get you through. Whisper HIS name – Jesus, Jesus, Jesus – into each minute, rest in knowing HE is El Roi the God who sees. HE is Emmanuel, your God with You. You are not alone. He has not forsaken you. Pull out the chart in chapter 12 and soak in those promises. Just feed your heart bite-sized pieces of His promises and cling to them. They will be your daily bread.
Let us know how we can keep praying for you – and if you don’t have a copy of my book, please leave a comment so I can get one to you.
We love you friend – and we will be praying you through this very hard season.
~Renee
Renee:
I’ve been absent due to care of mom. If it’s not too late, I’d love to get a copy of Confident Heart.
I did leave a response for Chapter 10 and I am so thankful to God for you!
I ask for prayer regarding the right in home non-medical care for mom (so she can have companionship / independence in order that I can comfortably leave her) the right pre-school / MDO program for our toddler (3yrs) and for our teenage son (Yes, there is a 10 gap b/n them. God has amazing humor!) You can guess there has been little time to oneself or for my AMAZING husband. He and I need to get time for each other through hired hands :). And lastly, please petition to God that I can WALK in CONFIDENCE throughout this season.
As I walk in God’s time…not my own~
(One to whom God continues to be so gracious)
Thank you so much for this reminder and for sharing your encouraging story. As a relatively new missionary still adjusting to life overseas, I need right now to remember faith is an everyday choice – not one we made once back when we moved. And I can’t give up now! Lord, hold my tired arms as I hold up my shield of faith!
Lord Jesus, I can’t comprehend this circumstance for Melissa because I’ve not been there. But I pray for Your strength to comfort her and uphold her as only You can.