Welcome to the One Word at a Time Blog Carnival on Faithfulness.
Please add your link to the widget below, then read what others have posted as well.
Thanks for your participation and support!
**After you add your info, please refresh the page. If your post does not show up, please try again… make sure your email is provided and NO typos. If it still doesn’t work, send me an email or DM with your info, and I’ll manually input it for you. (Post title, email, url) Every now and then the widget acts up for certain people (you know who you are) and I’m happy to assist.
One Word at a Time…Faithfulness
Denice was a faithful woman. She wasn’t the type who only prayed in time of need or trouble… she thanked God in the good times as well as the bad.
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Denice accepted Christ shortly after she married Nick. A friend invited her to a woman’s group at church, and it didn’t take long for Denice to realize Jesus was what was missing from her life.
From that day forward she began to pray for her unbelieving husband. It took three years for her prayers to be answered, just days after their first child was born.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
Denice thanked God for their child, and was filled with joy over Nick’s decision. For the next two years she enjoyed her husband and son… as well as the many blessings God provided.
One evening Denice made a special dinner for Nick, and couldn’t wait for him to get home to share some amazing news. When he arrived, she was giddy with excitement. Then she saw the look on his face and her mood quickly shifted.
Nick let her know he’d been laid off from work and wasn’t sure if it was going to be permanent. If so, he’d lose all health benefits which Denice knew was critical with the news she had to tell him.
She thought about keeping quiet, but had never kept secrets from her husband, and didn’t plan on starting now. Denice shared the news that they were expecting, and Nick was thrilled, regardless of the timing.
Denice began to pray day and night for things to work out. She loved having Nick around to help with their feisty toddler while she battled morning sickness… but knew they needed him to keep his job AND the benefits.
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7
Two months later (after much worry and prayer), Nick got the call that he was one of the lucky ones… and due to consolidating positions… he would get a promotion and a pay raise. Once again Denice praised God for blessing them.
A few weeks after Nick got back to work, Denice and her son went for a walk. On the way back to the house, she began cramping up and soon was doubled over in pain.
When she got home, Nick was pulling up to have lunch with them. He noticed that Denice looked upset, and when she told him about the pain he quickly got her to the doctor.
After a thorough exam and an ultra sound, Nick and Denice found out that they were having a girl… and she was trying to make an early appearance. Denice was told to take it easy so she could get as close to her due date as possible.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
Nick was terrified they were going to lose the baby, and was very worried about Denice having a two year old to deal with. She assured him all was going to be fine and that God would take care of things.
He was amazed at the strength she showed, but not surprised by her faithfulness. She’d always been positive God would take care of them… and he wanted to believe her now more than ever.
Three months later (a few weeks before her due date), Nick and Denice welcomed a beautiful baby girl into their family.
During her newborn exam, the doctor detected a heart murmur. He told the anxious parents that many murmurs go away over time and were completely harmless. They were going to run more tests to see if it was something she’d grow out of, or if was a permanent condition.
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? Luke 12:25-26
When Denice heard this news, she broke down. She clung to Nick, asking him why this was happening to their precious baby girl.
Nick quickly assured her that there was nothing to worry about. He knew God would answer their prayers. Denice had proven this time and again, and now it was his turn to step up. He was going to show her how strong he could be… and that her faithfulness had changed him… forever.
I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. Philemon 1:6
{ 7 trackbacks }
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Our faithfulness may not always be recognized on this side, but it always has effect. Great post, Bridget.
I suppose faithfulness is sometimes just showing up each day for work–in God’s service.
We need one another. We’re in this together.
Bridget – it’s a beautiful story, and a story told well. Often, when you’re going through things like this — things called life — it can be all a blur, and you understand only when you look back. Sometimes you know when you’re “in the moment.” The best times is when both happen.
I loved thinking about the word this week. Faithfulness is not always rewarded or recognized yet its very definition means we keep on keeping on anyway.
Wonderful story!
What a special gem of a verse to leave us with, Bridget.
I loved getting a refresh on verses that aren’t always so visible. Thanks for that and the story.
I am loving how you weave scripture into these stories, Bridget. Untested faith is not much faith at all. Thanks for the reminder.
Beautiful example of faithfulness, Bridget.
Nice – like the way you wrote it.
Faithfulness is easier when prayers get answered in the way we want them to – but what if they don’t, can we still be faithful then?
Thank you for sharing this story. It is always a joy to see Faith being lived out by God’s people. It is a great reminder for each of us to rely on our God through faith.
I love the way you insert Biblical text amidst the story — what a powerful thread of faithfulness.
Thank you!
I love how in the end the husband is able to be a support to the wife because of the example she’s previously set. What a great reminder that not only is our obedience and trust in God important for us, it’s a model for others. The scriptures throughout were so encouraging, too!
You pretty much have all of my life verses wrapped up in this post, Bridget. Well woven, read with tears. Thank you.
Our faith rubs off, both the good and bad. While our faith grows by suffering through trials. Relationships grow deeper when those trials are shared. A great reminder that we’re a light and need to shine through the darkness.
Wow! This story reminds me that there is never a “happily ever after” in life, but joy lives in moment-by-moment faith. Wonderful.