From Scribbles & Crumbs #On Coming Alive series. Some of these I don't know if I should rewrite the whole thing or paraphrase-I have been just writing the whole thing. I think I will rewrite this whole thing too because of all of the Bible verses, etc.
"I am honored and humbled to be here. I have no formal training, no education in ministry, leadership or public speaking. What I do have is a testimony and story about how God has been molding me and equipping me to be a servant for His kingdom."
I spoke these words in Cap Haitian, Haiti (!) where I recently had the opportunity to speak to women ministers and give my testimony at a church service. It's not any education or training that qualifies me to share; it's a story of rising up from the ashes and coming alive.
My story starts nine years ago when I was pregnant with our second child. I had the feeling that something wasn't right. I went to the doctor where I received the news that forever changed our lives. "I'm sorry, there is no heartbeat."
(I am going to skip some parts here as far as her marriage is concerned. She was trying to depend on her husband for help but he wasn't available)
God was my shelter, and He began the work of putting the pieces of my heart back together.
I can look back now and see how God was truly protecting me, my heart, ...
(Talks about how she started an organization)
Almost three years later, we have served over 150 families. I also have the privilege of climbing down into the trenches with these families and sharing who Jesus is and how he healed my heart and give families the hope that He can do the same for them.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)
I would read this verse over and over when we were first starting Emma's Footprints because this is what I was living out. What a promise from the Lord...I have become a better person and my heart is so full of joy every day because of what He has done for me and how much He loves me.
The Lord uses our children to teach us about ourselves, and in my story, He used our daughter to help me fulfill my mission here on earth. I am so proud to be Emma's mom and be a part of the legacy she is leaving for generations to come.
Jesus has been reminding me lately that He has already defeated the grave, and I am no longer defined my Emma's death, but by the eternal life that is found in Jesus.
(Update on current status)
Our home and our hearts have been restored and Jesus has truly made beauty from our ashes.
You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy. (Psalm 30:11)
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)
-Tracy Dailey
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