My Sister Rosene - Trusting

If you found your way here while strolling through the carnival, 

Welcome - glad to have you!

Today I'm joining a Blog Carnival for the first time. A blog carnival is when a group of bloggers all write about the same word - today its trust. One blogger is the host for the day and there are links to everyone that has participated on that blog. Today's host is Bridget Chumbley - after you read my post, you can go to her blog to read more posts about trust. 

Trusting - even when we don't like our current situation and we don't know what the future holds. That was what my sister Rosene did. She trusted that God would help her everyday and she trusted that after she died - she'd not only be walking, but be dancing! 

Trust was hard for her at times. Born with Cerebral Palsy, she had more questions than answers over the years. Why did she have all the limitations she did? Why couldn't she walk out to a car and easily open the door and sit down? Why couldn't she pick up a piece of pizza and steadily put it in her mouth as she saw all of us do? Along with CP, why did she have impaired vision and couldn't read anything unless it was in a super-sized font?  The list goes on and on and on ...

Those weren't just her questions, they were mine too. Her and I had numerous conversations about trusting God. She listened to many audio books and teachings, so we were equal partners in the discussions. We didn't always agree. And she was annoyed if I patronized her by being soft on her if I disagreed. Iron sharpens iron and our conversations stretched both of us.

We agreed that God is love and is our creator, so we can always trust that he has our best in mind. We agreed that all things can work together for good, but that doesn't mean all things are good. We agreed that CP was not good! We disagreed about whether he created her with CP or it was a result of living in a fallen world.

We also agreed that there will always be mysteries, we won't always agree or have answers to all our questions. Watching her live life trusting in God and writing about his love and goodness, even with mysteries and unanswered questions helped me trust, especially when I went through tough times.

One definition of Trust is:  confident expectation of something; hope.

Rosene had that and it showed by how she lived her life. She didn't wallow in self-pity, because she trusted that someday things would be better. So while she was here on earth, she ...

bloomed where she was planted

by helping others and doing

what she could with what she had.

She made cards to encourage others and for birthdays and other special events. We tied them on roses for her and then she gave them away.

When she was younger, her hands were steadier and she made colorful items from beads. After hearing a children's choir from India, she sponsored a girl from there. One key at a time, she wrote letters to send along with her support checks. She wrote a story for children about two cars that made a choice to have a good attitude, even when life wasn't good. We had the story illustrated and printed to give as gifts and/or sell, then Rosene used the money for her 'daughter' in India.

Dear Lord,  

You know exactly what I have to offer and it’s not much. I’ve been struggling with the circumstances of my life and sometimes that struggle has led me into some pretty dark moments. I’ve questioned you, I’ve doubted you, I’ve complained to you. I’ve scolded you. I’m amazed you still want to be friends, but I know you do. I’m getting the feeling that you want me to serve you in some way and that’s just crazy. There are so many others who can do much more for you - what could I possibly do? I’m wounded and spiritually limping. How can I show anyone else how to run this race? I’m willing to try, but it will have to be your power working, not mine.    

Your daughter,

Rose

That is TRUST!

She began walking and dancing last year on October 22nd. I found the prayer above on her computer after she passed away - it was written a few years ago. Tomorrow is my Winning Wednesday and I will give away a book I compiled with her writings after she passed away. You can preview the first 15 pages of the book on Blurb - leave a comment with your email address today or tomorrow and you will be entered in the drawing.