She wears faith like wings and soars above the fear.
When we first met, I was an insecure college freshman, cautious, fearful and shy. A heart full of wounds and battle scars, I often stood on the outside, a mere observer of life. Like a wallflower at the school dance, I watched the world dance around me, because I was too afraid to join in. Despite my flounderings and insecurities, she welcomed me as though I’d always belonged.
Sometimes, redemption from past wounds comes from unconditional acceptance and the open arms of a faith-filled heart.
As a newly wed, I remember listening to her share her testimony to a group of women at my church. She shared her story of deep grief, significant loss, and of an unwavering faith in a sovereign God. My own life’s brokenness was still fresh, yet I hungered for a faith like hers.
It was her gentle love and secure faith that helped me through the uncertainties during the early years in my marriage to a firefighter. When the fires raged, and my fear soared, it was she who encouraged me through it. For it is often those who have been through fires themselves who are most capable of helping others find their way through the smoky haze and to a place beyond the fear.
Recently, she joined us on a family trip to Orlando. Standing in line together for a ride, she shared with us that she used to be afraid of heights. “I used to be afraid of a lot of things. But since the worst thing in my life has already happened, and I survived, there’s nothing to be afraid of anymore.”
Her statement continues to linger, stirring my heart and prompting evaluation of my own fears. She, who lost her husband unexpectedly, when her children were ten and thirteen, knows what it is to experience the worst thing in life. She has gone through the fires of suffering, where her faith was forged and sculpted.
It was faith that taught her that even when your world falls apart, God will catch you. Faith showed her there is a reason for everything and everything is in His control. Faith also revealed to her that God is big enough to take all your cries, questions, anger, and fear.
And it’s her faith that continues to teach me what it looks like to trust God in the face of intense uncertainty. I see how faith picked her up and carried her through to the other side of pain and sorrow. I’ve learned that what frightens me most, cannot break me, because God will not let me go.
It’s faith like that of my mother-in-law that inspires me to trust God in spite of my fears. It encourages me to climb to great heights. And it helps me take that giant leap into the unknown…
and soar with wings of faith in the One who will always catch me.
Linking up with:
Word Filled Wednesday and Intentional.Me
What a blessing to have her in your life, in your children’s lives. But, without a doubt you, I know, are just as much of a blessing to her.
I know you are to me.
Your faith inspires me.
Your transparency inspires me.
Thank you for sharing your walk of faith to so many.
You are the sweetest! Thank you for your encouraging words. I’m so glad we are friends:)
Speechless. Beautiful and makes me love your MIL.
Beautiful testimony of His unending grace to us at all times.
You should:)
Precious. And you’re blessed to have a mother-in-law who opens her heart to you and encourages you! Sadly, rather than be faithful and accepting of His plan, when I lost big I became angry and lost. It’s taken me years to find Him again. And I marvel at His patience with me! What an awesome God - who carries us even when we refuse to see it! Thank you for sharing your heart, Christina. As always, your words have touched me.
“She wears faith like wings and soars above the fear.” How beautiful! And what a wonderful God, who lifts us up “on eagle’s wings” so we can rise above the hurts and losses and fears.
I love the pictures…and I am so thankful God has blessed you with such a sweet gift…someone who is so grounded in God’s love to hold you steady when life is shaky. My hearts desire is to turn and encourage others with hope that God has given me. blessings to you as you continue to soar with wings of faith~
What a beautiful story. She reminds me of my own mother-in-law, and I thank God for the relationship I have with her. Soon after her husband died in 2009, she went along with us to Orlando. Lots of parallels here …
How wonderful that you have such an inspirational mother in law. I’m sure you are a blessing to her, too. It is a beautiful thing, a gift really, to have others demonstrate faith for us.
Reminds me of the saying, “we have nothing to fear but fear itself”. Wonderful testimony. Have a wonderful day
What a lovely post! How blessed to have such a wonderful relationship with your mother-in-law. When I was a newly wed, a lady at my church gave some profound advice, “Be nice to your mother in law, because some day you may be one!” What a beautiful example she has set for you!
“She wears faith like wings.” Wow… how powerful! Thanks so much for this great encouraging post!
This is great! Love the wonderful way you wove it all together- that last line really hit me in the heart- I got goosebumps all over. Thank you for sharing these marvelous thoughts
My dearest Christina…You are such a blessing to me…your quiet faith, your caring heart, your consistent loving care for your family. My son is blessed to have met and married you. Thanks for the kind words. I continue to be proud of the fine work you do here on your blog…helping other Moms share the gospel with their kids and becoming so very vulnerable in the process.
Love, Mom Fox
Thank you for inviting me in to your family:) You have been such a blessing to me and I have learned so much through you. Love you!
“It was faith that taught her that even when your world falls apart, God will catch you.” what a powerful lesson to learn. hurts my heart to know most of us need to learn it the hard way…
and I need the reminder daily: He’ll never let go….He’ll never let go…He’ll never let go.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful story at “Tell Me a Story.” If we believe we have already survived the worst, then it is simpler to face most any other fear. I am happy your MIL is such a spiritual person and able to embrace you and encourage you. May we all strive to be like her (and Jesus)
Soaring above our fears on wings of faith, such a beautiful thought and possible when we trust God to help us. Your post blessed my heart today.
Thanks.
Joy
Oh, incredible story! It’s so wonderful to have a “mentor”, someone to look up to, someone stronger in faith than you are. It’s amazing how just knowing and spending a little time around that person grows your own faith. Thank you so much for sharing!