The Legacy of Mary Rose (#295 of 365+)

“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things… Come and share your master's happiness!” (Matthew 25:23)

Being a quadriplegic, it’s miraculous that Joni has been able to write so
many books, give thousands of speeches, travel the globe, direct a ministry to the disabled, and paint beautiful works of art. She is famous for her many good works yet she says she knows “God isn’t impressed” by any of it.

Joni shared how she once had the high honor of meeting one of her biggest fans. Mary Rose is a woman with cerebral palsy. She needs someone to hold onto her as she shuffles her feet to walk. She reaches out her rigid arm as far as it can go just to shake hands. Her demeanor and her clothes appear reserved but her warm, brilliant smile tells everyone that there’s something very special about her. On the day they were introduced, Mary confessed to Joni that she had been praying for her every day since reading her inspiring book twenty years earlier. A quick calculation and one finds that Mary lifted up a complete stranger in prayer to the Lord over 7,000 times!

As Joni said, one day she will stand and applaud “on the side lines” as Mary Rose receives her “magnificent reward.” God is never impressed by our abilities or hard work. What touches his heart and moves him is when we rely on him, when we trust that he can do the job through us in spite of our shortcomings. Our part is simple: Be obedient. The Lord will do the rest. Even though sometimes we might feel that we’ve failed in some task, we honestly have no idea all the wonderful things God is accomplishing through our willingness and faithfulness.

“Your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58)

Lord, thank you that success in your eyes isn’t about my abilities, my hard work, or my preparation. What matters most is what your Holy Spirit does through me. Help me to rely on you more, to be faithful, and to obey you in all things. You deserve all the glory, honor, and praise forever and ever. Amen.