Day: May 26, 2020

Dr. Jim Conway was a guest on a Focus on the Family radio broadcast to relate the story of his daughter, Becki. When Becki was fifteen, she began having trouble with one of her knees. For the next eighteen months, doctors ran tests and took biopsies. Finally, a doctor came to the Conway home and delivered the distressing verdict—Becki had a malignancy and her leg would have to be amputated.

Dr. Conway, a pastor, refused to believe it. He was convinced that God was about to perform a miracle. His church began a twenty-four-hour vigil of fasting and prayer. On the morning of the scheduled surgery, he asked the surgeon to verify that Becki’s cancer had been healed. But it hadn’t. Becki’s leg was lost—as was the faith of a crushed, angry, and confused father.

Over the next several weeks, Dr. Conway battled his feelings over Becki’s amputation. He eventually realized that he had two choices: continue along a path of anger and despair over the loss of Becky’s leg or put the matter in God’s hands and choose to believe that He knew what He was doing. He decided, in his words, to “let God be God” and trust Him to turn tragedy into triumph. The struggles with his emotions didn’t completely disappear. But like Job, Dr. Conway chose to draw on the wisdom and love of our sovereign Creator: “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him” (Job 13:15).

There are times that God simply doesn’t make sense. When He allows tragedy to strike your family, a sense of abandonment or despair can be overwhelming. But in your hour of crisis, I urge you not to lean on your own ability to understand. Don’t demand explanations. You will find peace only when you choose to “let God be God,” rest in His wisdom and protection, and heed the words of David in Psalm 52:8: “I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever.”

– Shirley M Dobson

• From Night Light For Parents, by Dr. James & Shirley Dobson
  Copyright © 2000 by James Dobson, Inc. All rights reserved.

Bring [your children] up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4

I admit that it was difficult to watch my two children, Danae and Ryan, grow up. I knew they couldn’t remain children forever, and I certainly didn’t want to freeze their development. But I loved every minute of their childhood, and I cherish the memories we created.

I worked especially hard on “letting go” of Danae during her last three years at home. One of the most difficult times occurred when she was fifteen. She was having trouble getting ready for school on time, and I repeatedly rescued her by driving her there at the last minute. Finally, Jim and I agreed that it was time for Danae to accept full responsibility for beating the tardy bell.

One morning Danae missed her carpool ride, and she appeared at my door as I was preparing for an appointment. I ignored her hints about driving her, and we lived too far from school for her to walk. When she realized I wasn’t going to rescue her, she called Dial‐A‐Ride, our city‐sponsored cab company. She gathered her books and sat on the curb in front of our house with her head down, waiting for the cab.

I reluctantly faced one of my most difficult assignments ever. I backed my car out of the driveway and drove off, leaving my beloved teenage daughter dejected and alone. My mind flooded with all the horrible things that could happen to a young girl by herself. I asked God to protect Danae and help her learn from this experience.

The Lord heard my prayer. Danae came bounding into the house after school, threw her books on the table, and wailed, “Oh, Mother! How embarrassing! Do you know what kind of cab Dial‐A‐Ride has? It is a huge, old, beat‐up station wagon. The driver drove me right up in front of the school, and all my friends saw me. Oh, I will never do that again!” The next morning, Danae was up at the crack of dawn.

It’s extremely difficult for loving, caring parents to let their vulnerable children face embarrassment or failure. Our impulse is to bail them out or cover for their irresponsibility. But if we have faith in our objectives—and in our kids—we’ll stay the course and all do some growing up together.

– Shirley M Dobson

• From Night Light For Couples, by Dr. James & Shirley Dobson
  Copyright © 2000 by James Dobson, Inc. All rights reserved.