When God’s Glory Intersects With Your Story

I said to the Lord, “But I don’t like my story right now. Please, another story instead!”

Again came these tender words of encouragement: “Your story, My Glory.”

During this same time, our third son, Jordan, took a summer mission trip to Africa. While there, he had 21 nosebleeds. What’s that all about? When he returned home, on the day before his 21st birthday, he was diagnosed with stage 4 sinus cancer. He endured 71 rounds of radiation and eight rounds of chemo, after which, amazingly, he was declared cancer free and returned to his dream of finishing his last semester of college.

He graduated on time, won the Overcomer of the Year award and met his great love, Cady. He got a wonderful job at a bank. Seventeen months later, at 8 a.m., he went with his dad to buy the engagement ring, and at 10 a.m., during a routine follow-up exam was told the cancer had returned, this time with a vengeance.

Jordan and Cady were married a month later, determined to live their dream of a life together. For the next nine months, Cady never left his side. Thousands of prayers from around the world surrounded us, along with the faith to move mountains and receive a great healing. However, two years ago as of March, in what will remain a great mystery in our lives, our precious son breathed his last breath on Earth and his first breath in heaven.

Rekindling Hope

For the last two years, we’ve been on yet another journey of hope inspired by our son, who never lost his hope or faith, challenged to keep living on days when we’ve felt like dying. In the midst of this journey, yet one more amazing dream happened. On Christmas Eve, the Christmas before Jordan died, we got a call from a brave young woman, now in her ninth month of pregnancy, who had decided to pursue adoption.

She had chosen us! Could we be ready to adopt in three weeks when she was due? At age 51 and 54, we looked at each other and said, “Well, yes, why not?” The very next day, while again at my bathroom sink, a photo came to my phone—two newborns in red and green hats! And not just one but two dreams come true! Our twin girls were born just outside of Bethlehem on Christmas morning!

Since things happened so quickly without the ability to share the news personally with everyone, we pulled together a short video to let our church families and friends know.

In the last two years, this video has gone viral four times and been seen by over a million people. Indeed, it is our story, His Glory, on a scale we never imagined.

Life is full of ups and downs, tears and fears, fulfillment and disappointment. Through it all, I’ve learned how faithful the Lord is. He can be trusted and is out for our good. One of my theme Bible passages has been Psalm 27:13-14: “I believe I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; be strong, and may your heart be stout; wait on the Lord.” In short, choose hope and dream again, because it’s your story for His Glory, and He is right on time!

Lynette Lewis is an author, business consultant and speaker who travels extensively, speaking in both corporate and Christian venues. She is the author of two books, Climbing the Ladder in Stilettos and Remember the Roses. Visit lynettelewis.com for more information.