By Laura Thomas
God's Brave Women: Laura's Story
Circling the city in an itsy-bitsy plane doing its best to hold steady in a horrific storm, my heart raced but my soul was at peace.
I thought emigrating from the UK to Canada the previous year was brave.
And months later, I thought soldiering on after a miscarriage was brave.
But no, this adventure in the sky, dodging flashes of lightning en route to B.C. Women’s Hospital in the hope of keeping my unborn baby safe and myself alive… that’s really when I needed to get my brave on.
“Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray...” Philippians 4:6 (MSG)
As my perfect pregnancy plans splattered like the teeming rain on the air ambulance windows, I knew this was out of my control and I needed a very special brand of courage to face the unknown.
Faith came first, bravery followed.
"Faith came first, bravery followed."
After uttering a desperate prayer as I tried to imagine the outcome of this high-in-the-sky scenario, I was overwhelmed—not with fear, but with peace. Like a weighted blanket, it covered my trembling body as I lay on the stretcher and I knew I was in the very best hands. In God’s hands. I could do this. I could be brave in His strength.
"I was overwhelmed—not with fear, but with peace. Like a weighted blanket, it covered my trembling body as I lay on the stretcher and I knew I was in the very best hands. In God’s hands. I could do this. I could be brave in His strength."
After an extra half-hour hovering above the worst storm in thirty-four years, we landed safe and sound.
There followed a six-week stint in hospital which was not quite what I had in mind, but sometimes when circumstances are taken out of our own wringing hands, we have to trust that God knows best. In a relatively new country, over 200 miles from my husband and four-year-old daughter, this was far from ideal. I should be home-nesting rather than bed-resting.
“…Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down…” Philippians 4:6-7a (MSG)
Don’t you just love that God knows us better than we know ourselves? That His timing is always impeccable? With autonomous blood transfusions and a dangerous surgery threatening the lives of my baby and me, much bravery was required for this squeamish girl. But with prayers from my own heart and from many others around the globe, I experienced that beautiful “sense of God’s wholeness” right there in the hospital bed.
And the end result was an adorable, healthy baby boy.
This precious memory etched in my mind forever, happened exactly twenty-four years ago. But that feeling of putting my hand in the Father’s and letting Him lead me and keep me through the unpredictability of life has been my experience time and again.
Even when I think my timing is better.
Even when I think my plans are perfect.
I try to remember to give it all to God and trust He will make me brave for the journey.
"Even when I think my timing is better. Even when I think my plans are perfect. I try to remember to give it all to God and trust He will make me brave for the journey."
Of course, I often fail dismally with prayer as my last resort—you would think I’d know better by now but I’m a slow learner. I’m grateful that God is so gracious and patient with me every single time as He gently reminds me of His peace and presence.
“…It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.” Philippians 4:7b (MSG)
Friend, perhaps you are dealing with the overwhelm of watching your life spin out of control. We all know how this year’s plans have been thwarted for the most part. But here’s the good news: God’s plans are never thwarted!
"We all know how this year’s plans have been thwarted for the most part. But here’s the good news: God’s plans are never thwarted!"
Sometimes, the bravest thing we can do is simply trust Him with today.
And know that God will make us brave for the journey.
Brave Woman Manifesto
Make sure to check back next week as another courageous Sister shares her story!
And by the way...
You are Brave!
No matter what you are facing, God has made you in His image, which means you are full of His strength and power. I would love to connect with you more and give you a FREE gift - the BRAVE WOMAN MANIFESTO: Five Things to Tell Yourself When Life Gets Hard. Click HERE to sign up for my monthly newsletter and you’ll receive the FREE Manifesto, as well as recent blog posts, updated resources and personal details delivered only to my lovely email tribe.
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About Laura
A published Christian author, Laura writes heartwarming encouragement for your soul. She has three Christian romantic suspense novels published, as well as a Christian teen fiction trilogy, marriage book, middle-grade novel, several anthology books, devotionals, articles, and stories in magazines and online.
Laura is a chocoholic mom of three, married to her high school sweetheart—originally from the UK, they live in Kelowna, British Columbia as audacious empty-nesters.
Find her books, blog, and bio at www.laurathomasauthor.com. She would love to connect online on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
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