This is a guest post by Angie Vallejo. We asked Angie to share a personal story about a time in her life when she asked one of the questions Jennifer asks in her Bible study Missing Pieces: Real Hope When Life Doesn’t Make Sense. Enjoy Angie’s story. You can follow Angie on her blog here.
God, are you there? Because I really messed up this time. That was my somewhat hesitant, and very much hysterical, call to God back in late 1996 when I became pregnant.
I had been confident that my boyfriend, who had asked to marry me, would come through as the hero to rescue me and to set a date. And he did want to set the date, but not for the wedding . . . . for the abortion.
The fellow who shared his vision with me of a family with four kids now wanted no responsibilities. When I refused his request to have an abortion, he left. I wouldn’t see him again.
Unfortunately, the decision to take my life plan into my own hands would quickly be seen as a serious mistake. I had just turned 30, had a good management job and was living on my own, but the surety I previously had regarding my long term career goals and future marriage plans had disappeared.
As a long time follower of Jesus, I wondered if He was would still be there for me, and whether this would be a storm from which He would save me. From that hesitant, sincere call to God, asking Him to take over this mess I made, my prayers were answered in ways that were entirely unexpected!
God, do you care? Because I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t.
He DID care; He forgave me when I asked, and He did not offer any condemnation during this new struggle. How did I know?
I received a large, unexpected raise at work that would allow me to raise my own child.
It was discovered that I would get a portion of my salary for a paid medical leave while I would be off work for six weeks after having the baby.
Friends rallied around and sponsored a baby shower that helped me get started in a new life with a baby.
The best answer to my prayers was a vision, in which I dreamed about playing with a toddling, blond-haired little boy, who I called “Matthew.”
A few months later, I gave birth to a sweet, cuddly (and loud!) little boy, who I promptly named Matthew, which means “Gift from God.” From that day, I look at my son as a special gift – one that is here to do great things for God and one who was created for a divine purpose here on earth, regardless of how he entered the world.
From that time, God has still provided many blessings: I married a wonderful man who is not only the very best husband for me, but is a fantastic father who was specifically chosen by God for my son.
Does God care? He does!
As I work through Jennifer Rothschild’s Bible study, “Missing Pieces”, I was once again reminded that even when we are in the wilderness, we can be humbled, learn our true character and find out whether we will learn to obey God’s commands (Deut. 8:2-3).
In this case, that was learning the lesson that God has the best plan for my life, not me. God rescued me from myself, and delivered me from additional hardship. Were there consequences? Yes. However, God is faithful, and when I search for Him, He hears me and delivers me. (Psalm 34:4-7)
Want “real hope when life doesn’t make sense?” Find out more about Jennifer Rothschild’s new Bible study, “Missing Pieces” HERE.
