As we go through life things happen to us personally, financially, professionally, and every other kind of "ally" way possible. Good things happen, bad things happen, so-so things happen and then sometimes nothing happens. I have noticed that for me, I tend to praise God for the good things and share non-stop about the good things but when bad things come my way I tend to say "He will provide" and yes he will but I don't praise him for that storm. I don't say "Thank you God for allowing blah blah to happen." Are you like that?
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My beautiful daughter Kristina is a survivor of dating violence. I used to say "victim" but over the past few months as I have learned more and more about what happened when no one was watching I have changed "victim" to "survivor." I have done tons of research and learned more than I ever wanted to know about the statistics of dating violence. At this very moment there is a Mom who is planning her daughter's funeral due to dating violence and here I sit simply talking about it. Therefore, Kristina is a survivor.
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Kristina's journey started a little over two years ago but my journey as the Mom in the know started about this time last year. Once I became aware of the situation it seemed like everything spiraled out of control. There were arguments, tears, cries, slamming doors, moments of complete breakdown and then there was sunshine. Some days we still have cloudy days but for the most part our days are sunny with rainbows so bright you can barely open your eyes.
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After nearly two years of verbal abuse Kristina struggles with other people's perception of her. She had stayed very quiet about her ordeal and when asked she simply smiles, nods and removes herself from the conversation. But, in the blink of an eye it seems like she is no longer doing that. She is talking, she is sharing but more than sharing she is witnessing. Last night at her girl's youth Bible study she spoke about what happened to her. She gave details, she gave examples but most importantly she gave these girls hope. Her main goal was to make these girls understand that it doesn't have to be them.
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When she came home she was so tired. I could see the exhaustion on her face and I was so proud of her because I know how difficult that was for her to do. These are girls she attends church with, school with and here she was pouring out her heart which included secrets that she had never shared with anyone other than me.
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I was driving to work today and I was thinking about her. I was thinking about where we were this time last year. I was thinking about where we were six months ago. I was thinking about how proud I am of Kristina. Throughout the past year I never questioned God as to why this happened and/or was happening but at the same time I didn't praise him either. I had the faith down to my core that God would bring us through the storm but I never stopped to thank him for the storm. Without that storm, without that rain Kristina would not be the young woman she is today. I would not be the Mother I am today. But more importantly, my entire family would not be the Christians we are today. Personally, I struggle with praising God during the storm and that is something I am going to have to work on. God is worthy of my praise before the storm, during the storm and after the storm. After all, he created that storm, filtered it through his hands and allowed the rain to fall because he knows the plan for each and every one of us.
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"If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever." 1 Peter 4:11. Everybody needs a little rain. Flowers can't grow where there is no water!
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