GROWING IN FAITH AT THE END OF THE ROAD
What a treat I have for you today dear friends. My friend Vickie Henderson is sharing a glimpse into her life. Her story is a good one, she is a Obstetrician by trade, but I believe her truest gift is writing about her walk with God. Please take a minute to check out her blog, information follows her excerpt:
This post contains some affiliate links, this means should you make a purchase I may receive a small commission, your price stays the same. Thank you!
I reached a dead end. After grinding my gears over a washed out road I finally pressed the brake and stopped. Dust settled like tiny particles of confetti as my tires quit struggling to move forward. I mean seriously, what’s the point of moving forward at a dead end?
My map lay folded up wrong on the seat beside me after several attempts to get my life back on course. Surely, I could fix this. After all, I’m a master fixer with years of experience. As a physician I fixed everything from leaky bladders to hormone imbalances. As a speaker and author, I fix doubt and despair. But I admit, I can’t fix this. My life is not following the script. For crying out loud, I’m so far off track I don’t think I’m even on the right set anymore. Nothing went as planned and believe me, it’s not for lack of planning. I’ve written perfect endings for years.
(Check out this cute journal here, it’s from one of my FAVORITE ETSY shops!)
On my 10th birthday I received a pleather bound book with “My Diary” embossed in gold letters across the front. The flimsy strap and lock were barely secure enough for me to feel safe recording my innermost thoughts. The addiction continued and forty-plus years later I have cabinets full of journals. I vacillate between willing them to my daughter when I die and burning them all so no one can ever discover the depth of my crazy. But this journey God is leading me on is rich and there is too much wisdom secretly recorded in ink to turn to ash. It’s not the path I planned, but I’ve learned when God leads you down a path you don’t want to go, He waits for you at the end.
The history of my heartbreak is written in my barely legible handwriting. I offered God detailed plans to fix my life and He rejected them all. My fairy tale ending turned to tragedy, but my mourning became gladness when I realized my role is to record history, His story, instead of writing my future. God is the author of the script and He wants blank pages to fill. Pages He pens with a deeper understanding of His character not a solution to my circumstances. To know Christ and the power of His resurrection, I cannot skip the fellowship of His suffering.
(more fun journals like this one here)
My newest journal has a bicycle stitched on the front with the wise reminder, “Enjoy the ride.” White pages wave like a white flag of surrender when I open it and ask God to write His story. You see, there is total peace in letting go of “MY” plans and surrendering the blank page to the Almighty fixer. Thankfully I’ve come to the end, the end of myself.
Get to know Vickie more here:
Vickie Petz Henderson, M.D. practiced obstetrics and gynecology for nearly twenty years, delivering over 5,000 precious babies at all hours of the day and night. Her life in overdrive came to a screeching halt when she was diagnosed with a rare neuromuscular disease called myasthenia gravis. She believes she was disabled to be enabled to pursue the true desires of her heart – writing and speaking.
She is a national speaker and the author of “Dressing the Wound: Give Yourself the Gift of Forgiveness.” On her weekly podcast, “My Journey of Faith,” she interviews authors, musicians and people with interesting stories from all over the United States. You can listen here: https://www.facebook.com/MyJourneyOfFaith
Her blog, “My Right Side Up Life” encourages others to find the blessings in adversity. www.myupsiderightlife.com
Connect on social media
Facebook: Vickie Petz Henderson
Twitter: @rightsideuplife
Instagram: myrightsideuplife
Pinterest: Vickie Petz Henderson
Although she recently returned to work part-time as Chief Medical Officer, she still makes time to sit on her front porch. There is always an open invitation to join her.
Thank you for sharing!! I never got into the routine of journaling. I admire those that do though. Good food for thought.
I am not great about it either, but when I do you definitely get to see the path to answered prayers, it is amazing.
I feel like I know you so well, yet we only met at a church once when you spoke giving your testimony.
I too love to ride my bicycle. My dad bought it for me (as an adult) since most give/gave them up decades ago. I am in my 50’s. Dad has now for 5 yrs been bedridden from a severe stroke and can no longer speak well. Oh he understands us but can’t communicate back verbally. No longer play his beloved guitar but oh how he can still sing worship and praise songs. When he sings tears stream down his face.
I now ride in memory of dad and all that was stolen from him.
It might be to the office, around town, or on Nebo weather permitting.
I want to Thank you for the inspiration you give to me through your writings, and blog.
The fact that you are so REAL, honest, and transparent in your writings. You encourage me.
My daughter was diagnosed with leukemia on 3:16 of this year and stayed in the hospital for 40 days. Beginning this Monday she begins her last 5 weeks of treatment. She is only 37, married, raising 2 boys. She too has lost so much yet God has literally provided their every need and right on time.
On Aug 16 she gets to Ring the bell. She is healed yet Dr Patel wanted these treatments. Once finished she has 2 yrs of chemo pills. So much has changed in her young life. She told me,
” Mom I want the old me back. I want to go back to the me before the diagnosis”. She wants her hair to grow back too. Yet we know we can’t go back in time. Any of us no matter how much we want too. I am sharing your info with her because I know you will bless her life like you have mine.
I am Praying for you.
Just wanted to say THANK YOU
You truly are an inspiration to so many.
Teresa Waldron
wow Teresa, you have been through so much! I am so grateful you stopped by. Vickie is so talented with her words and open heart! I will pray for healing for your sweet daughter. Keep riding and keep praying friend
Love this post, Vicky and Kim. Lovely imagery and metaphors “dust settling like tiny particles of confetti,” white pages waving like flags of surrender,” just to name two. We all struggle with allowing Him to write our stories, but you have experiencing particularly tough circumstances. I think He’s proud of the way you are learning to let go.
thank you for stopping by, isn’t Vickie so crazy talented with her words. I knew you guys would like her!!!