From Wreckage to Redemption
September 10th is a big day at my house. It’s our redemption day.
It’s the day my Adventure Boy husband’s plane was located after weeks of searching for it. Our hope was that both Adventure Boy and the plane would be recovered safely and intact, but that isn’t what we found. A pilot error, a thunderstorm, and a dark mountain created a trifecta of disaster. Adventure Boy was found inside the crumpled wreckage.
He’d been killed on impact.
What do you do with that kind of news?
Where do you turn for help?
Ps. 121:2 says “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
There was nothing I could do but ask for help from God and he was faithful to provide it to me.
He gave me closure, Adventure Boy was found, not missing indefinitely.
He surrounded me with people who prayed for me.
He filled in the emotional holes with peace, comfort, and even joy.
Adventure Boy had no life insurance, but God filled in the financial gap by prompting people to send me thousands of dollars in gift cards and cash.
He supplied the kindest teachers for the children at school.
Eventually, He put Mr. 4-Ever in my life.
It really felt like God gave me back all that had been taken from me and more. Mr. 4-Ever was a fabulous addition to our broken family. He fit like an old shoe.
I loved him. The boys loved him.
We made it official.
We got married and Mr. 4-Ever asked the boys if they would be willing to be adopted by him. They both jumped at the offer.
On September 10, 2003, exactly three years after we found Adventure Boy on the mountain, our new family stood in front of a circuit court judge and became the official 4-Ever family.
God in control doesn’t mean that nothing bad happens.
It means that nothing bad that happens that is beyond God’s ability to redeem it.
From broken to wholeness.
From lost to found.
From wreckage to restoration.
Do you believe that?
Can you trust God with the broken, lost, wrecked things in your life?
I hope so.
Your help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth, too.
Prayer: God Almighty, be bigger than my circumstances. Overwhelm me with your love. Show me how to trust you when my world is falling apart. Amen
Scripture Refresher: I look up to the mountains—
does my help come from there?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth!
He will not let you stumble;
the one who watches over you will not slumber.
Indeed, he who watches over Israel
never slumbers or sleeps.
The Lord himself watches over you!
The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.
The sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon at night.
The Lord keeps you from all harm
and watches over your life.
The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,
both now and forever. Psalm 121 NLT
Thanks for sharing, what a powerful story of His redemption. Praying for you!
Aww, thank you Autee. I need all the prayer I can get.
What a beautiful story of God’s faithfulness…even in the midst of tragedy. Thank you for sharing. Thank you for being a light in this dark world!! Love you sister!
Robyn,
When I saw the photo I immediately recognized the aircraft. Memories flooded back of those days, of the prayer, of the anguish, of just not knowing. I am inspired by your dedication to the Lord. Your recognition of His gifts to you shows where your heart is.
With warmest regards,
Tom Werkema.
Thank you, Tom. I appreciate that.
I was there in Pennsylvania. I am Don Lang’s significant other. We didn’t get to meet then, but there isn’t a week goes by that we don’t speak of you. We have the utmost respect for what you do and I hope I get to meet you some day. Yes, I loved what you said about Don on page 177. It brought tears. Thank you for being you.
Carole, I certainly hope our paths cross in person. I’m glad you approve of my recollection of Don during the search. He was a hero. I’m very thankful he was in command.
Hi Robyn, you might remember me as Sue Ripley. We both contributed to the book about letter writing that Julie Link compiled. Elaine Meredith posted a link for your book on FB and I downloaded and read it today. It was riveting. I knew parts of the story, but good to hear it all from your perspective and I loved the scripture you closed with from Isaiah. Beauty from ashes has been a major theme in my life too. Would love to connect in person with you sometime.
Thank you, Sue. How nice to hear from you. Glad you’re into the beauty season of life right now. Are you still in GR? email me at robyn@chanceec.sg-host.com with your contact info.
Well, thank you.
Hello, Robyn
We met at the speaks conference in Grand Rapids I am inspired by your over all positive demeanor and confidence. You surely are inspiring and offer hope for others who have been in those dark days to carry on with your head up and eyes on God’s protection and love.
I am glad to have met you and thank you for all you do.
Amanda Ripsam 🙂