You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
stead of the negative circumstances in my<br />
life. I learned that helping others during<br />
difficult times brings joy.<br />
The day finally came for Shawn’s surgery.<br />
God was so near to our family during<br />
this time. We clearly saw the evidence of<br />
His heart toward us. When our brakes<br />
failed on the way to the hospital, God protected<br />
us from an accident and provided a<br />
replacement vehicle. He sent family and<br />
friends to the waiting room to comfort<br />
us. He even provided opportunities for<br />
us to encourage others. We were able to<br />
pray with the nurse assigned to bring us<br />
operation updates when she sheepishly<br />
admitted she was nervous because her<br />
daughter was having her tonsils removed.<br />
My husband and I spent four nights in<br />
that hospital with our son, and we learned<br />
some great lessons on being thankful.<br />
One mother in the cardiology wing had<br />
been living there with her daughter for<br />
six months. After several surgeries, there<br />
were still no signs of improvement. Another<br />
family’s daughter couldn’t be jostled in<br />
the ambulance during her transport to the<br />
hospital. The parents had followed that<br />
ambulance for an hour at the agonizing<br />
pace of 10 mph. Hearing heart-wrenching<br />
LEFT PAGE: Twoyear-old<br />
Shawn is<br />
all smiles after a<br />
successful heart<br />
surgery.<br />
LEFT: Seeing God’s<br />
faithfulness in<br />
the trials of their<br />
lives has given the<br />
Aspinalls a desire<br />
to help others know<br />
Jesus Christ as their<br />
Savior and Lord.<br />
God—the only One who could see our family<br />
through this situation. And when I finally<br />
did let go and trusted Him, I found peace.<br />
Through all of this, I continued pouring<br />
out my heart to the Lord. I wrote raw<br />
and honest journal entries about all that<br />
was bottled within me. I read Scripture<br />
verses and focused on God’s promises. I<br />
kept in touch with friends via email and<br />
read their encouraging responses. And<br />
God strengthened me as I relied on Him.<br />
Finally, it was time for Shawn’s pre-op<br />
blood draw. In the waiting room, my husband<br />
and I noticed a stash of books on a<br />
cart. A sign offered them as free for the<br />
taking. We loved the idea of books being<br />
available to children at such an uncertain<br />
point in their lives, and on our way home,<br />
we discussed ideas for a book drive.<br />
We began telling people about our idea,<br />
hoping to take a good collection with us<br />
on the day of surgery. To our amazement,<br />
our community of friends rallied for the<br />
cause. With their help, we donated over<br />
1,000 books to the hospital!<br />
I knew collecting those books would<br />
bless others, but I didn’t foresee how<br />
they would impact my life. The book drive<br />
caused me to focus on a worthy cause instories<br />
like these certainly caused us to<br />
count our blessings.<br />
That Christmas, we treasured the gift of<br />
the health we had in a new way. Shawn’s<br />
surgery was a success, and we came home<br />
grateful to God for the many lessons He<br />
had taught us. We emerged from that experience<br />
knowing God much more personally<br />
than we had before. Two years later,<br />
when Shawn faced another open-heart<br />
surgery, we approached that one with<br />
confidence because we knew from past<br />
experience that God was with us.<br />
Because of Shawn’s surgeries, doors<br />
have opened for us to minister to international<br />
children who come to the United<br />
States for open-heart surgeries through<br />
the Children’s Heart Project, a Franklin<br />
Graham outreach program. God has allowed<br />
us through this particular “mess”<br />
to proclaim a message for His glory.<br />
If you met Shawn today, you’d never<br />
know what this young man went through.<br />
He has received a clean bill of health for<br />
many years now. He’s not on regular medications<br />
anymore. He plays sports like other<br />
kids and, a just couple summers ago, he<br />
learned to water ski. What brings the most<br />
joy is watching our son use his story to tell<br />
others about the faithfulness of God. You<br />
can read his story on page 18.<br />
Maybe you’ve received news lately that<br />
has rocked your world, and you’re trying<br />
to face it with a “buck up and toughen up”<br />
mentality. Let the Lord be your refuge and<br />
strength, your ever-present help in trouble<br />
(Psalm 46:1). It’s the only way.<br />
Ask God to help you turn your thoughts<br />
heavenward instead of focusing on the<br />
pain around you. Read His life-giving<br />
Word, surround yourself with encouraging<br />
friends, look for ways to serve others<br />
during your own painful trials, and remember<br />
to give God thanks for what you<br />
have. As you trust Him, you will find the<br />
strength and peace you need to face whatever<br />
lies ahead.<br />
God is faithful. He is near. And He will<br />
see you through.<br />
SHARON ASPINALL is a schoolteacher and<br />
martial arts instructor. She enjoys outdoor sports<br />
and reading as hobbies.<br />
VICTORIOUSLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM<br />
<strong>Issue</strong> 01 / <strong>2020</strong><br />
17
Change language