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Scott W.
Scott is team strategist and original creator of the concept behind this site. He loves playing golf and tennis and finding ways to practically apply God's Word to everyday life.
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When I lie down I think, ‘How long before I get up?’
Corrine Ruiz, Share Your Story Now Volunteer, shares about how God has been helping her during this tough time in her life.
Please note that the views expressed in this story are not necessarily the views of the American Bible Society. Story posted on July 3rd, 2008 and filed under God's Love, Hope, Your Audio Stories, Bible, Struggles, Grace, God's Sovereignty, Life Verse.
July 3rd, 2008 at 8:52 am
Corrine,
Thanks for sharing in the midst of your pain. My wife and I have also been battling cancer for the past year. It has been a difficult time and we now await word about whether it has spread to her lungs and thus moves to incurable status. The journey has been quite difficult and more often than not I feel like I have nothing left to give.
In the midst of studying this morning, God gave me a verse that I also want to share with you. In Judges 6:12-14 an angel of the Lord tells Gideon that the Lord is with him, calls him a mighty warrior, and tells him to “go in the strength that he has to save Israel from Midian’s hand.” Although Gideon has many excuses God will have none of it and delivers the Midianites into his hands with just a few men.
It is good to know during times like this that God only wants our willingness and faith and not our strength. I’ll be praying that God will use this time to break through to your son and as he did in the latter part of Job’s life, restore and bless you in abundance (Job 42:10-17).
In Christ,
Scott
July 3rd, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Dear Corrine Ruiz:
You never fail to be an inspiration to me, and I look forward earnestly to hearing even more often from you, since you have become Share Your Story Now Volunteer.
Job defends his right to complain (7:11). His total despair (Job 3:2-26) is vividly and painfully detailed (7:1-6).
In his final plea he asks Yahweh the God to leave him alone (7:19-21)
Job’s suffering is brought into perspective in his Divine-human encounter.
Job acknowledges God’s authority over him. In contrast, his own speaking has been without understanding (42:1-6). Under the warmth and awe of the Divine Presence, all of Job’s complaints fade into insignificance, for his ear has heard God and his eyes have seen Him.
In his pride he had charged God with acting unjustly. Now his contrite self in God’s Presence resonates with his attitudes of deepest trust and reverence before Him.
God’s love reaches out to, and restores the resigned Job–and no doubt, to each and all of us in predicament beyond our comprehension.
The restoration of Job testifies that God will vindicate His own faithful servants. Although He may allow us to endure austere trials, He will rebuild and redeem us for the burdens we bear.
We could only trust in and pray to our All Compassionate God the Father. His Healing of our broken body, mind and spirit do happen more often than we realize.
Thank you.
May GOD ALL MIGHTY Bless you and yours;
GODSPEED, always and forevermore!
Mary Sun.
July 24th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
Dear Scott,
I have not been doing much reading or writing lately. My days and nights have been filled with much sorrow and sadness. My son is still in jail, awaiting trial Wednesday, 7/30/08. I’m not sure what will happen but I do continue to have faith, hope and believe that God will intervene at the right moment. I know God will do what is best for my son, to save him. If my son does have to serve time in prison, I know he will be protected just as it is written in the Book of Daniel.
Daniel 3:23
And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego, fell down bound into the the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
Daniel 3:24
Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke saying to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.”
Daniel 3:25
“Look!” he answered, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the forth is like the Son of God.”
In my heart, I know my son will be protected. If God’s will is for my son to go to prison, I will accept it.
Psalm 40:2
I WAITED patiently for the Lord; and he inclined to me, and heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps.
PSALM 40:3
He has put a new song in my mouth - Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord.
Scott, I thank you for your kind, encouraging words. Please continue to pray that God will use this time to break through to my son.
I will keep you and your wife in prayer as well. May your wife feel God’s arms as he holds her close to him. May she also feel the peace and comfort that only God can give.
Peace and blessings to you.
Corinne, Olivia & Manuel’s mom
July 25th, 2008 at 12:01 am
Dear Mary,
Thank you for encouraging me to continue to share how God has and continues to work in my life. My life has not been easy. There have been many days that I felt as though I can’t take any more pain. When I found out that my son was a heroin addict, I felt my heart break, again. I remember telling God “How can you let this happen? My heart is still broken. I am still feeling the pain of losing my Olivia and now, once again, I feel the pain as my heart is breaking for my Manuel.”
Mary, these past few weeks have been very difficult. I have been unable to work. I went to work on Tuesday, sat down at my desk and just wept. I felt at that moment this is it, I am going to lose my mind, I am going crazy with grief. I have asked for some time off from work. God knows me and he knows I am feeling broken.
I will continue to praise my God and give him all the Glory and Praise.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. Psalm 139:14
As I write to you this evening, I feel so Blessed. Yes, I have and continue deal with my “Trials” but right now, I can honestly say that
I feel God’s love. I know he is in control and will save Manuel. I also know the pain I am feeling is the “Pruning” that God continues to do with me. I still have a lot of branching out to do before I stand upright in my Father’s Home.
Peace and blessings to you.
Corinne, Olivia & Manuel’s mom
July 25th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
My dearest Corinne–Most loving Olivia & Manuel’s Mom–in Christ:
My humble heart aches and cries with you.
This is the time, however, that you must even be emotionally stronger than ever; and, therefore, please take excellent care of your good self.
For Manuel needs your upright and holding arms in mind, heart, spirit, and prayers through his court date and beyond.
Most importantly, you must never blame yourself that you “…found out that my son was a heroin addict.”
For, Manuel might have been in the wrong company.
A recent publication in the Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, too, sheds New Light On Heroin Addiction. “Researchers from the Howard Florey Institute in Melbourne have identified a factor that may contribute toward the development of heroin addiction by manipulating the adenosine A2A receptor, which plays a major role in the brain’s ‘reward pathway’…Consequently, a drug developed to target both these receptors could have an even better result in treating addiction….”
You being insightful in our All Compassionate Triune GOD: “I can honestly say that
I feel God’s love. I know he is in control and will save Manuel…,”
You live the Word of our Savior, that faith conquers all.
“But in all things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him, Who loved us….” (Romans 8:37).
Further, the pen being mightier than the ’sword,’ I hope, with your powerful writing style, you will publish a book on a Mother’s Pain and Steadfast Love, so that many will be inspired, and thus helped by you.
GODSPEED with Manuel’s trial date.
May GOD ALL MIGHTY Bless and Keep you and yours, Make His Face Shine upon you and yours, and Give you and yours peace, always and forevermore!
Thank you.
Mary Sun.
July 28th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Dear Mary,
Thank you, once again, for your encouragement. Please continue to keep Manuel in prayer, as he does go to court July 30.
Mary, as for the writing a book, I have thought about it ever since Olivia passed away. I think about even more with all that has happened to my son, my husband and me. I’m not quite sure where or how to start but the seed to share and help others, in this same situation, has been planted. I can feel it.
Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on HIS faithfulness.
Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires or your heart. PSALM 37:3,4
I will continue to pray for the LORD’s guidance.
“Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.” Matthew 12:10
Mary, may you have a Blessed day. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Peace and Blessings.
Corinne, Olivia and Manuel’s mom