Faithful

Sometimes the midnight turn with Rebecca feels like reliving the sleepovers I used to have with my friends. Rebecca has an incredible joy that surpasses her circumstances and this ability to have fun in any situation. Midnights frequently become subject to this ability to have fun anywhere and anytime. So I often find myself I perched on the side of Rebecca's bed listening to her stories as we laugh and giggle together like little girls. Rebecca is a gifted story-teller and a woman with many amazing stories to tell so I savor these moments of watching her beautiful face as she recounts story after story, each a testimony of God's faithfulness in her life.
          When she becomes drowsy we call it quits and I leave her to go back to sleep. Above the dimmed light in her bedroom is a plaque with the words "God is faithful" written on it. As I leave the room I glance up at the light as I switch it off and watch the light fade over the words "God is faithful". Rebecca has told me that the hymn Great is Thy Faithfulness has become one of her life anthems, and what a testimony her life is. I can declare God's faithfulness but my twenty-two sheltered and comfortable years do not carry the same weight as Rebecca's. But for Rebecca to declare God's faithfulness after 50 plus years of walking with the Lord and after an accident that left her paralyzed from the neck down, truly is a strong testament of Gods faithfulness. Being able to share life together so closely challenges me to have deeper faith in my ever faithful Father.
  After switching off the light I turn towards the door and on it is a poster with the words, "celebrate life" written on it. This continues to declare God's faithfulness, because when we know that God is faithful we have no reason to fear and can celebrate the life He has given us. Rebecca has chosen life and daily chooses to celebrate the life God has given her. Although few survive the type of neck injury Rebecca experienced, God chose to miraculously allow her to survive. But surviving meant living in paralysis, like a prisoner in her own body Rebecca's life as she had known it had been altered for the rest of this life. However, Rebecca could not settle to just survive such a serious injury, she chose to thrive, to celebrate the new life she has been given. She often optimistically says, "who gets to start a new life in their mid 50's?". She has chosen to embrace her new life and even to celebrate it. She celebrates life in the mundane daily activities, through the beauty of her garden, and even during the middle of the night. Her life and the way she lives it declares the truth that we can celebrate life in whatever form in takes because we know our lives are entrusted to the faithful Creator.

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess for he who promised is faithful"
Hebrews 10:23