You have a dream, a vision, a calling from God. But discouragement, setbacks, and unforeseen challenges have caused you to question yourself . . . and maybe even God.
Meet Ivy Posada, a follower of Christ, busy wife, mom, career woman, and gifted leader in her church. She’s also a woman with a dream, a vision, and a calling from God.
Three years ago, Ivy was diagnosed with breast cancer, a diagnosis that threatens the dreams of over 600 women each day. Today, however, after many weeks of chemo, multiple surgeries, and months and months of sickness, fatigue, and uncertainty, Ivy is seeing her dreams come true – and I’ve got the pictures to prove it.
But before I share them, I want to ask you something: Are you feeling a little down or discouraged today? Does it seem like your dreams are fading? Or, are you, perhaps, even suffering?
If you answered yes to one or more of those questions, I pray that the faces in the following pictures — these dreams come true — will encourage and renew your trust in the One who says, “I know the plans I have for you…plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV).
These are the faces (l-r) of Noemi Moreno and her daughter Valerie, me, Manuela and her daughter, Cristina, Ivy Posada and her daughters Talia and Leah, and Marisol Zita and her daughter, Damaris – the mother-daughter Beauty by The Book/ Beauty by The Book for Teens small group that Ivy recently led cancer-free!
And that’s not all . . .
See that?
And that?
And look at that!
It’s a room full of women and girls who came together this past weekend for the first-ever Girls Night Out scholarship fund-raiser for Hinsdale Adventist Academy. The event included lots of fun, food, fashion (in the form of a what-not-to-wear, modest vs. immodest runway show), fund-raising, and a message (from me) about biblical beauty. And can you guess whose dream and vision made the entire evening possible? That’s right, Ivy!
You know, if there was a sign-up sheet for suffering, none of us would volunteer. But meeting Ivy this past weekend and witnessing the passion and power of God upon her life reminded me that suffering doesn’t mean the death of our dreams, and discouragement cannot deter God’s plan for our lives. In fact, the opposite is true: discouragement and suffering are the pathway to His passion and power.
“But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness . . . For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 1 Corinthians 12:9-10 ESV
Thank you, Ivy, and thank you Hinsdale Adventist Church and Academy for encouraging me and every glo girl who sees your sweet faces today to trust God whose grace is always sufficient and whose dreams for us are always good.
Your sister,
What are you dreaming about through your discouragement? How have you experienced the “when I am weak, then I am strong” grace of God?
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Emily Ryan
Jan Hart
Laurie Cole
Priority Ministries
Oh my goodness yes!!!! My dreams of family, redemption & restoration were met by God’s loving grace 15 years ago & I continue to “travel on my knees” in gratefulness giving all praises, honor & glory to Him every day since. This is a beautiful witness to her unmoving & unshakeable faith. Thanks Laurie for sharing her story & the commraderie of a faithful group of ladies who won’t budge in the face of adversity.
Thank you. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2012. As I await surgery and look to the future I hold on to the hope that the Lord truly does have plans to give me a FUTURE and He has given me hope!! One day at a time.
Praying for you right this minute, Judy, and at the same time I’m also trusting that His grace and strength will sustain and encourage you day by day. Love you, precious sister.
I was diagnosed with leukemia 11/26/2012. I have a strong faith in God, and believe He is using me to help others through this illness. I am so grateful to Him for this opportunity. However, I now feel like I’m not living up to my end of the bargin. I’m not taking care of myself like I should, and I feel like I’m a disappointment, even though I know in my “head” that I’m not. Not feeling very strong right now, but thanks for listening.
Thank You Laurie for sharing Ivy’s story. I too am a Breast Cancer Survivor by the Grace of God. Because of “the Vision” God gave me, I have been ask on different occasions to share “the Vision” of all that God has brought me through on my Faith Walk with Him. It’s a journey I wouldn’t have wanted to miss. I will love my LORD into eternity. He is my ALL in ALL. @Judy and @Sue, I am praying for both of You. Praise God in the mist of your storms, don’t let Satan steal your Joy. Yes, I believe, God is using you both through this journey of your life’s. When I was weak and discouraged, I looked to God. I got on my knees in prayer and surrender everything to Him. I read His Words of comfort, encouragement, and strength. Trust in Him at ALL times. And know He Loves All of Us. “He will never leave us nor forsake us”. “The Vision” I speak about is this: God told me, I am to walk through this cold, dark and scary valley,(the valley of Cancer) only He can walk with me, and I am to stay focus on “the Light” (Christ Jesus) at the top of the mountain. Once I have reached the side of the mountain I am to turn around and look at all that God has brought me through and go share it with others. I “HAD” Breast Cancer and my Brother “HAD” Leukemia!! Praise GOD!! Love in Christ, Vickie
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