Hey Everyone,
Living out our calling rarely follows a clean, predictable blueprint. Sometimes the hardest part isn’t taking the first step; it’s choosing to stay on the line when heartbreak meets us. Today, we step into a heavy story, but one that forces us to look past temporary outcomes and anchor our trust in the One who holds eternity.
Here is our 3…2…1 Impact: three points to ponder, two quotes to share, and one story of impact.
1 Story of Impact
On January 13th, I wrote about the miraculous chain of interventions that saved Baby YouElyce’s life. Later that month, on January 31st, I visited his family in Haiti and held that sweet boy in my arms.
On Monday, August 31st, I received the message every leader in this field dreads. Our Haitian staff shared that little YouElyce had been called to his forever home, passing away due to surgical complications and the harsh difficulties of managing infection in a place like Haiti.
We weep with those who weep. We mourn with those who mourn.
In these moments, my soul cries out, “Why, God?” The loss feels senseless and heavy. Like the Old Testament laments, these hard conversations with God allow us to lay our raw frustration and anger at His feet. When heartbreak stands as a constant threat, how do we show up again and again?
We answer with yes. Then another yes. And another.
We press forward not because we have the strength to carry this on our own, nor because the pain hurts any less. We press forward because of our bigger YES. We know the One who went through hell and back for each of us, stepping into the breach before we ever asked. Willingly. We say yes out of reverence to Him.
We cling to the promise that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, whether on this Earth or on the other side of Heaven. Every child demands our fight. Every mother deserves an advocate through the First 1,000 Days of life. Even if that means standing next to a wailing mother in her grief or being the sole presence at a child’s funeral.
In this life, trouble is a guarantee. Yet we do not fear because we know the One who has overcome, and He has never abandoned us. Because of this, we will not abandon those whom He has entrusted to our care. We do not control outcomes. That is His and His alone. But we can control our obedience to the calling, in good times and the bad.
3 Points to Ponder
- Pain tempts us to pull back, build walls, and guard our hearts. Where in your life is God asking you to risk heartbreak so you can demonstrate Love in Action for someone else?
- We so easily mistake controlling outcomes for faithfulness. Are you measuring your success by results outside your control or by your willingness to take the next step in steady obedience?
- Biblical lament demonstrates trust, bringing grief directly to the Father. Have you given yourself permission to be completely honest with God about the heartbreak in your life that does not make sense?
2 Quotes to Share
“Compassion asks us to go where it hurts, to enter into the places of pain, to share in brokenness, fear, confusion, and anguish.” — Henri Nouwen
“We are not called to be successful, but faithful.” — Mother Teresa
We do not carry this weight alone. As we walk shoulder to shoulder through seasons of both grief and hope, remember that demands our obedience while retaining full ownership of outcomes. Continue showing up. Keep building relationships. Trust the grander story He weaves.
Question to carry with you over these next weeks:
When unexpected disappointment threatens your peace, do not fixate on immediate outcomes. What intentional discipline will anchor your trust in God’s eternal promise?
Feel free to reply and share; I read every response.
Live with Impact,
Tim
