49 - I Can't But God Can

By Kay Heitsch

They say one of the worst fears is public speaking. Having my nose bleed at the thought of speaking in public was proof that it can be very scary.

After giving my testimony on Super Bowl night at Dee's church, I gave a big sigh of relief. Now I thought I would never be asked to go out and speak again.

Boy, was I wrong.

A few days later, I received another phone call. This time, it was a woman who asked if I would share my testimony with a group of ladies. She explained they would be meeting in the lounge at her church.

I'm not sure if I said anything at first. I'm sure I was on tilt! Then she went on to say they would be meeting on the evening of February 5th.

Are you kidding me! February 5th is the night before Todd's accident. The days surrounding your child's death are emotional. My thoughts went at high speed! There is no way I can do this!

Then it hit me. I started to see that I would always have a good excuse not to share the wonderful things God had done through Todd's death.

After thinking this through, I told this lady I would be over on February 5th.

I don't remember much about that evening, but it was the beginning of a lasting relationship with many people in that church.

When I prayed that God would bring good out of Todd's death, I was not expecting the way He would do it. I started to see that God's ways are not my ways.

I had to learn to trust God, because I was always put in positions that caused me to say,"I can't!" But He always reminds me that He can through me.

God Will Turn It Around

By Kay Heitsch

Sometimes your best blessings come out of your worst situations. God will turn what the enemy meant for bad into something good. ~ Trust That God Will Turn It Around Quotes

In my opinion, nothing could be worse than having your child killed instantly. No time to say goodbye or I love you. But God can even turn this most devastating situations into a blessing. We just need to trust Him.

Our Bible verse is one I cling to. And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose. Romans 8:28 AMP

This amplified version explains this so well. We can be confident that God who is deeply concerned about us will cause all things to work as a plan for good! He has a plan and a purpose to bring good out of evil.

Sometimes your best blessings come out of your worst situations. God will turn what the enemy meant for bad into something good.

48 - I Didn't Know What To Expect

By Kay Heitsch

I had no idea what to expect or even thought about what may happen when my letter "Loving Memory of Todd" was published. Boy, I was in for a surprise.

We had a landline back then, so when the phone rang, we answered it. I started to receive calls from strangers all over who had read the letter.

On the back of the magazine, it stated that the publication reached 118 countries.

One psychiatrist called, who explained he had a patient who wouldn't talk. After reading the letter, the patient asked the doctor to call me. He wanted to know what I had found that changed my life. I told this doctor I had found a personal relationship with the Lord.

Another person who continued to call was Dee, a woman I had known for many years.

We moved a lot from state to state. Dee had worked for Bill in another one of his stores. Now she was working for him again. Dee knew what I was like before and what I was like now.

Dee kept calling me, asking me to share my testimony at her church. This went on for several months. My answer was, "No!"

I tried to get Dee to understand this was too difficult. Yes, I wrote the letter with God's help, but that was a different experience. Talking about Todd's accident and his dying was too hard. I couldn't do it! Dee persisted.

Finally, Dee stopped asking. She called and let me know that her church was expecting me to share my testimony on Super Bowl Sunday night, and Bill could join me and sing first. I freaked out!

Now the Lord and I had a talk. I let the Lord know I could not go out and talk. What if I started to cry? The Lord wasn't moved. A thought came to my mind. "You couldn't write either. I helped you then, and I'll be with you now."

The day I shared my testimony, I was a wreck. I was sweating and shaking. I started to do my hair and makeup, and blood began to pour out of my nose. As my head was in the sink, this text came to my mind. I did not give you a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind.

This shocked me and got my attention. I stood up and told Bill that if the devil's working this hard. Something good is bound to happen.

God knew what He was doing. The people in this church were loving and kind. When I finished sharing, people walked right up front and hugged me.

God was again making something good out of Todd's death.

People Have Opinions

By Kay Heitsch

It's interesting how people have their own opinions on what we're doing. Especially when it's something different from what they would do.

If we want to follow God's plan for our lives, people may not always agree, and some may even do their best to discourage us. However, to keep on keeping on, we need backbone, not just wishbone. We will need to stand up for what we believe God has called us to do.

Years ago, after "In Loving Memory of Todd" was published, I briefly attended a church where the minister did not like Norman Vincent Peale. When he found out some of his members had come over to our home to talk with me, he didn't like it!

One Sunday night, I attended a service. He got up and tried to intimidate me. He made mention about looking into your child's casket, etc. I knew he was referring to me. Then, on a Sunday morning, he actually said from the pulpit that those who were associated with Norman Vincent Peale did not have the same spirit as he had.

That was it! I knew what had happened in my life. NVP's books had shown me Christianity in a way I wanted to live.

Dr. Peale's books were for the unchurched, which I was. His approach was to bring the unchurched into the Bible, helping them establish a personal relationship with the Lord and begin working out the plan God had for their lives. Which was precisely what had happened with me.

What's interesting is that these people who wanted to know what I had found that had changed my life were now geering! It got so bad that if they saw me in town, they crossed the street.

If you want to follow God's plan for your life, you will have to put up with people's opinions. It's not easy, and it can be very hurtful, but it's worth it! God will see you through to the end!

Follow Your Path

By Kay Heitsch

Follow the path God gives you and don't worry about others. ~ God's Plan Quotes ~

We shouldn't worry about what other people think when we follow the path God has for us. Believe me, not everyone will like what you're doing. That's okay. Just keep following the path God has for you!

Our Bible verse says. Show me Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths. Psalm 25:4

I believe God will teach us the paths He wants us to follow. He will also show us how to do things His way. However, you can see by this verse that we need to ask.

Follow the path God gives you and don't worry about others.

47 - Title Of The Letter

By Kay Heitsch

Having Ric call saying Dr. Peale had read my letter was wonderful. Now, asking my permission to publish it was something I never dreamed of.

This was a personal letter. It wasn't that long, but now Ric has asked me to add more details. Yikes, I wasn't expecting that! I did my best and added the details Ric suggested.

I mentioned in my letter how I had been giving the "Have A Great Day" paperback book by Dr. Peale to friends and relatives.

I had also given the condensed edition of The Power of Positive Thinking by Dr. Peale to the cross-country and football teams, as well as Todd's graduating classmates. I'd sign each one, In Loving Memory of Todd.

I sent my revised letter with the added details back to Ric.

I don't remember how long it was, but I received a large envelope with the layout of how the letter would be published.

When I saw the title, "In Loving Memory of Todd," I was overwhelmed, and tears filled my eyes, running down my cheeks.

God was certainly making something great out of Todd's death once

Contentment

By Kay Heitsch

Contentment does not mean I desire nothing, but rather, it's the simple decision to be happy with what I have. ~ Learning To Be Content Quotes ~

This is so true in life. We may desire things, it's only natural, but to be content, we have to make a simple decision to be happy with what we have.

Our Bible verse says. I have learned to be content with whatever the circumstances are. Philippians 4:11 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

We can learn to be content with what we have when we know Christ will give us the strength to do so.

Contentment does not mean I desire nothing, but rather, it's the simple decision to be happy with what I have.