If God Asked Me, I Would Have Told Him No
Courtney is a blogger whose passion is to help people through the storms in their lives by sharing her story of loss and hope. When she’s not writing about God’s faithfulness, you can find Courtney with her husband and four kids snuggling on the couch, watching Disney movies, and eating chocolate.
What do you do when life throws you a curveball?
What do you do when the road you’re walking on becomes broken?
What do you do when something happens in life that completely cripples you?
These are the questions I faced on July 1, 2017, when we lost our precious 4-year-old son, Sam.
Everything was fine. We were very involved in our church. We had a happy family, good friends, and lots of laughter. Everything was going great until that day.
July 1, 2017, at 10:22 p.m., forever changed my life – the moment I would have to keep living in a world that didn’t include Sam.
What is your moment?
How does your moment look? The moment in your life when something hits so hard it changes you forever?
Death of a loved one
Loss of a job
Unwanted diagnosis
Betrayal of a spouse
The situation’s details are different for everyone, but one common thread runs through each of our stories.
It was not a part of our plans.
It wasn’t my plan to have to bury my son.
It wasn’t your plan to have to sell your house because of a job loss.
It wasn’t your plan to start chemotherapy.
It wasn’t your plan to experience the emotions of betrayal after you found out your spouse had an affair.
When we plan our lives, all of these situations aren’t in there.
So what do we do in these moments?
Bringing Good From Bad
When God created this world, he didn’t create sadness, sickness, or death. Those were all things that came into this world after the fall.
But one of God’s specialties is bringing good out of bad.
Did God cause the bad? No.
Can God bring good out of that bad? ABSOLUTELY!
God bringing good out of your bad situation doesn’t negate the pain you’re feeling; it just gives your pain purpose.
It’s been amazing to see the good from my story – from Sam’s story.
I’ve seen lives changed and hearts restored to the Father.
I’ve seen people reevaluate their lives and what’s important.
I’ve seen parents start being intentional in time spent with their children.
I’ve seen people going through their hard times find strength through my story to keep walking their broken road.
And I know that’s just the beginning of how Sam’s story will change lives!
The Ultimate Sacrifice
If God had told me, “Courtney, I’m going to take Sam, but his death will change people’s lives,” to be transparent and honest with you…I would have told him no.
Because that was my son, and I couldn’t have willingly given him up. Even if that meant it would change lives.
But you see, that’s exactly what God did for us.
He willingly gave up his son for us. He knew his son not only would die but be tortured, beat, and hung on a cross.
And even with this knowledge, he still gave up his son FOR US.
I can’t even fathom that type of love.
Because I couldn’t do it. If God had asked me if he could take Sam, I would’ve told him no.
And that same love that sent Jesus to this earth for us is the same love that will pick up all the pieces of your shattered heart and put them back together again, piece by piece.
So friends, whatever it is you’re going through that wasn’t part of your plan, know that God is with you.
He will carry you.
He will walk with you every step through the valley until you can see the sun shining bright again.
