TBD

Posted on August 29, 2007
Filed Under Trusting God, Faith, Courage |

How many times in our lives have we gotten information that made us feel like the world was ending, or at least made us want it to? Malignant medical diagnosis, divorce, financial problems and death are all very scary, dreaded and unwanted experiences. Throughout my life I’ve experienced my share of tragic events, and every time I’ve believed life would never be good again and happiness was no longer and option. Okay, I confess I’m a bit of a drama queen and I often overreact. In times when I’ve received life-changing information I’ve allowed my thoughts to travel to the most extreme outcomes. This is not a very healthy trait, and I’m working on it.

Over a year ago my husband and I received a devastating diagnosis about our then unborn son. The doctors spelled out the facts, foretelling the scariest possibilities for him. Initially, we were certain life, as we knew it, was over. With the information the doctors and experts were offering, we doubted our ability to handle what was coming. Since the birth of our son 7 months ago, nothing the doctor declared associated with this particular diagnosis has proven true. This experience alone has taught me life is TBD.

I see it this way, there’s the world view and then there’s God view. The world view is limited, chaotic and often fatal. And God’s view is eternal, unfolding and graceful. So often we take the world view, believing doctors and experts have a direct connection to the mind of God. We look to others who’ve had similar experiences to prove our doom and gloom perspective. It was so bad for them, and that means it will be the same or worse for us. When my husband and I were awaiting the birth of our son, I made a choice to stay open hearted and minded. My friend Marcia reminded me daily God was designing this child and that the doctors had never seen the like of him and didn’t have the power to control his destiny. She said Zion was one of a kind. This gave me hope and I decided Zion’s life was TBD by God.

When the professionals, experts and doctors give us information, it is just that, information. The rest is TBD by your Creator. I love stories of people being told you have so many months to live or you’ll never walk again and the spirit of that person and God have other plans so they live years beyond the given time or they walk and even run again. I won’t pretend to know why or how that happens, because sometimes the doctor’s diagnosis comes to pass . . . and God is there too. But still, I will say whatever information the professionals give, just remember God has the final word. Life is TBD.

Peace and Blessings,

Monique Ruffin-James