My husband and I had the honor to hear speaker David Ring last night at a local church. He is an evangelist with Cerebral Palsy (CP). Just seeing him walk down the aisle brought tears to my eyes. We were packed in the place like sardines so I prayed that I would not become a blubbering mess (and I am NOT a crier). For those of you that do not know, our middle son Sam has CP. He is such a blessing to us! He is the child I asked the Lord for (1 Samuel 1:20).
Anyway, it was such an encouragement to see this grown man who had not succumbed to the adversity of his situation. His verse for the night was Revelation 12:11-
“For they overcame them by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.”
And he is an overcomer if I’ve ever seen one! I won’t go into his life story, but suffice it to say it was both heartbreaking and inspiring. The most important thing that I heard him say was that when God entrusted him with CP He gave him a platform and an opportunity. I mean, really, where do you go with that?
In application to our own story, I saw hope. Hope that God can do something in a situation that we just flat out didn’t want. I’m not gonna sugar coat it–we just could’ve done without CP in our lives. But God saw fit to give it to us anyway. So what do we do with it?
Before last night we would’ve bumbled along doing the best we could praying for a miracle healing. But after hearing David speak it’s a whole new ballgame.
CP is our platform. It is our opportunity to show others how God has been good to us. Did we ask for CP? No way. Did David? Nope, but as he said he wouldn’t trade his life for a minute. He is married and the father of four children and has been speaking for 37 years! His speech is unclear, his motions exaggerated, and his walk not perfect–but he is happy. He is blessed and so are we–so is Sam.
It is up to us to help Sam develop his full potential and then to get out of the way and let God work. We gave Sam to God when he was born and we have to accept how God intends for him to be.
We must not waste this opportunity that we’ve been given. We have been entrusted with something sacred and we have to praise Him and trust His plans for us!
For those of you blessed to know Sam you know his sweet personality and tender heart. I know God has plans for him that are beyond our imagination. I foresee a lifetime of overcoming for him, but with God and the Morrison stubbornness he was given he’s got nothing to fear! He will overcome and we will too!
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
By Allison Morrison,
Beautiful in Him
ABOUT BEAUTIFUL IN HIM
I am, first and foremost, a Jesus girl followed by (in no certain order): a mommy to three precious boys, wife of nine years to my hubby, daughter, sister, aunt, part-time nurse to local endoscopy...
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First blog I’m reading today and your TITLE alone inspires me, the post even more so. Our platform, not our curse – true of so many things! Thank you for this.
What an amazing mother you are! We all are given special assignments….its neat to hear how you’ve embraced yours! May God continue to provide you and Sam with opportunities to minister!
Thanks! I assure you I have fought embracing this journey, but have realized that it is our path and we’ve been entrusted with it. I want to walk it with dignity and grace to glorify Him!
David Ring is truly inspiring. When I hear him speak, I always get a headache from concentrating on his words. –The best headaches I ever get.
He is a God who does great things. May he do just that in the life of your sweet family.
So true Dawn…you really do have to concentrate. It’s funny how when he tells a joke you’ll notice people start to laugh about a minute later…after they finally understood what he said (or someone else told them)!
Your Sam is so blessed to have you as his mama. Love your faith, courage, and trust!
Thanks Holley! He is my blessing every day.
Your brave mama’s heart inspires and challenges and reminds us that God’s good hand is in everything and everyone.
Thank YOU!
God’s hand has been all over Sam’s life and I know He’ll continue to bless it!
Allison, thank you so much for sharing this. We also have a child with special medical needs, and you’re completely correct… It’s an opportunity to show how much God Loves and Blesses us! In fact, I know in our case it let us see and experience God’s Love in ways we never would have otherwise. God Bless you and your wonderful family!
So true Phil…you have to look really closely sometimes to see what God is trying to teach you, but I learn something new everyday from this journey.
As both a mom who prayed for long-awaited miracles, and a woman living with chronic health challenges, thank you for this beautiful post. I too believe God gives us challenges in life as gifts. As Joni Eareckson Tada says, “God aborts devilish schemes to serve His own ends. God permits what He hates to accomplish that which He loves. Heaven and hell can participate in the exact same event, but for different reasons.” I plan to share your link on my blog for the book I’m writing about Paul and living with thorns. {{{hug}}}
Love the Joni Erickson Tada quote! Thanks for sharing the link…
I love this line Allison… “We have been entrusted with something sacred and we have to praise Him and trust His plans for us! ” We can apply this revelation to any part of our lives… it’s all a testimony to His work in us. He knew exactly what He was doing when He blessed you with Sam! Such an encouraging post! Thank you!
I love your response. Bill Gothard challenges us to take these things and claim them as the Lord’s Marks of Ownership. By embracing these kind of challenges, a depth of character and a beauty of spirit develop that reflect clearly the Love of the Lord. Thank you for the words of your testimony concerning His Faithfulness.
Great post, Allison! Thank you for sharing this encouragement. It’s amazing what a renewed perspective on what can be perceived as a troublesome circumstance can do. I love how you and your family are loving, thanking, praising, and leaning on God! Thank you for being such a model for all of us.
(It’s great to see you here on (in)courage by the way! I’ve loved reading your posts from Rachel Olsen’s devotion carnivals and your comments on other P31 ladies’ sites!)