Today my friend, Christina Calk, author of the newly released book Perseverant Parenting, joins us. Christina is a family counselor, speaker, author, and family minister.
She wrote Perseverant Parenting to inspire parents to flourish in parenting, even in devastating hardships or tragedies. Each chapter is filled with scripture, quotes, and real-life illustrations designed to encourage parents.
She offers a giveaway to one of you leaving a comment below. Thank you, Christina, for sharing your story. ~ Suzie
I love Biblical stories about Jesus, especially when there is a miracle.
Even as a young child, I was drawn to accounts regarding the profound miracles Jesus performed.
In Mark chapter 5, a woman presses her way through a crowd just to get a glimpse of Jesus. Out of faith she touches his clothing and immediately Jesus asks, “Who touched my garments?”
After discovering who it was, Jesus assured her.
Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.
What a miracle!
In a chaotic and frenzied setting, Jesus not only acknowledges the woman’s humility and faith, but instantly performs a miraculous healing in her body.
Discovering this story strongly impacted my faith. This gracious healing assured me that the nature of Jesus in itself is miraculous.
He knows the hearts of those who love him, even when those hearts are burdened.
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He desires to bring complete wholeness and healing.
When our world feels chaotic and turbulent, following Jesus wherever he leads — willingly carrying out whatever He asks, and expectantly awaiting whatever miracle He desires to do in or through us — remains the same as when he healed a woman who simply touched his garment.
I have personally experienced miraculous healing through Jesus, yet in ways I never expected, through one overwhelming tragedy after another.
I suffered through a difficult and complicated pregnancy, and delivered premature twins at 32 weeks gestation. One of my babies did not survive.
Doctors told me that our surviving preemie daughter would likely not walk, see and may be deaf. She remained in the NICU for months struggling to survive, yet proved to be a fighter.
A few years later my husband was hit by a car while riding his motorcycle. He suffered multiple injuries requiring over 27 corrective surgeries, numerous doctor’s visits, and years of recovery.
Not long after his accident I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder. I went through numerous rounds of invasive testing, procedures, and several cycles of immunosuppressive therapy.
Needless to say, we were anguished, languishing in strength and often felt hopeless.
There were two common threads that existed within each of our struggles. First, every battle we faced required extensive treatment, long stays in the intensive care unit and a fight to survive. We were individuals that the enemy wanted out of commission.
Second and most important, every battle was hard fought at the feet of Jesus.
We never wavered from calling out to the Lord asking, believing and claiming healing in Jesus name. Every effort thrown at us by the enemy was meant to destroy us, yet God was doing a work within us that was much greater!
We faced arduous circumstances and to this day still face battles, yet through Jesus we are victorious and more than conquerors!
Healing arrived in the complete physical healing of our daughter.
Healing came in the form of emotional and spiritual healing of my husband’s wounded spirit.
And in me, healing from hopelessness and restoration of joy is ever present as I minister to those who suffer.
Each of these are miracles through faith in Jesus.
Christina
Connect with Christina Calk
From Suzie: Isn’t it amazing how Christina found the strength to persevere as she followed Christ. This isn’t for the faint of heart, the things that Christina has walked through, but perhaps you relate. I’ve been in those hard places too.
Yet there is joy and miracles to be found — even in the hardest of places. That is a miracle.
Let me tell you a little bit more about Christina!
She’s from Fort Worth, TX. She has been married to her husband for over 24 years. She’s an author, a speaker, a board-certified Biblical Counselor, Ordained Minister, Certified Special Education Teacher and Christian Speaker. She has served as a family pastor for over 20 years and ministered to hundreds of families.
Her heart is to serve families challenged by adversity with compassion and understanding. Christina has learned to meet adversity head on with tears, perseverance, faith and victory.
Facebook – Becoming a Family of Purpose
Check out her new book, Perseverant Parenting: Boldly Face Unexpected Life Challenges with Faith, Optimism and Purpose
Thanks for sharing your struggles and how God was in them every step of the way. It has been 29 years since my husband had cancer. As my mother and I were coming back to my car in the evening from visiting him in ICU, I noticed one of my tires were flat. God provided someone who left a can of air to fix by my tire and a brother-in-law whose was walking back to his car to use the can to inflate the tire. I could list many,many more situations like this. Thanks for reminding me of all theses times. Trials seem to come in bunches an I think they should just be one at a time, but He is with us every step of the way as we grow in trusting Him for His answers which do include miracles. My husband’s cancer has not come back. Thank you, Lord.
Elsie,
God is faithful to provide often in ways we never expect! Keep your eyes on him, he is our source of healing and hope!
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. (Rom 15:4 [NIV])
You can get your copy of Perseverant Parenting here
Link: https://amzn.com/1518783503
THIS: “There were two common threads that existed within each of our struggles. First, every battle we faced required extensive treatment, long stays in the intensive care unit and a fight to survive. We were individuals that the enemy wanted out of commission. Second and most important, every battle was hard fought at the feet of Jesus.”
POWERFUL! Thank you for sharing your story, Christina! What a beautiful purpose God has for your family! #livefree
Crystal,
Thank you for your response the Lord is doing a great work among those who seek him and put their faith in him! You can get your copy of Perseverant Parenting here
Link: https://amzn.com/1518783503
Enjoy and be encouraged!
I can’t even begin to tell you how much this post ministers to me and resonates to my spirit. I know it probably shouldn’t, but it comforts me to know that my family and myself are not alone in the physical, mental, and spiritual struggles that are enduring due to intense waves of what feels like attacks on each one of us. My children (twins) were born premature just a week later than Mrs. Christina’s. Most of their lives, they seemed healthy and well… until 2 years ago. The only way I’ve come to think of what’s happened (and is still happening) is to think of what we are going through as comparable on a much smaller scale of what Job went through. Like Christina, my husband has faced his own physical attack with a diagnosis of cancer. He also (previous to that) had a traumatic 4-wheeler accident in which God spared his arms, but that because he broke both his arms, it required 3 surgeries, 8 weeks in an external fixator (a metal pinning contraption that requires daily cleaning to prevent infection), and multiple, MULTIPLE visits to physical therapy. I, too, have seen God’s miraculous healing~ first by preventing my husband from losing his hand (the surgeon said it was barely still attached to his arm with the accident), and then God completely healed BOTH my husband’s broken arms and restored full sensation and function (the surgeon said he wouldn’t have full ability in one of the arms). Praise to God alone!! In addition to my precious husband, my son is being carefully screened and monitored for type 1 diabetes, which honestly scares me so bad and keeps me crying out to Jesus!! Yet he seems to be healed from asthma!! He still struggles with eczema and other skin allergies and irritants. He is really miserable each spring and each fall with seasonal allergies and is forced to stay inside. Both my daughter and myself were diagnosed with the same autoimmune condition two years ago. Thanks to a HUGE change in our diet, God was bringing our condition into remission until just this month when it has flared for the both of us yet again! We both struggle with joint pain. Pain~ it’s just something you never know to wake up each day thankful you DON’T have, until one day you realize you’ve been waking up each day WITH. I certainly took it for grated. It’s so hard as a mama to NOT have a good answer when both my kiddos ask me, “Why”. Why do they hurt, why do they have to go to so many doctor’s appointments, why do they have to take so many supplements, why do they have such a strict diet when all their other friends can eat whatever they want…..
I am so thankful to have read THIS post today… these words meant the most to me~ “Second and most important, every battle was hard fought at the feet of Jesus. We never wavered from calling out to the Lord asking, believing and claiming healing in Jesus name. Every effort thrown at us by the enemy was meant to destroy us, yet God was doing a work within us that was much greater! We faced arduous circumstances and to this day still face battles, yet through Jesus we are victorious and more than conquerors! … healing from hopelessness and restoration of joy is ever present as I minister to those who suffer.” Pastor Steven Furtick just recently posted this quote of his on his facebook page: “What would happen if you stopped asking, ‘God WHY am I going through this’, and started asking, ‘God WHAT are you preparing me for?'” THIS is exactly what I am learning to pray for now and I am hoping God will use our pain to do~ for helping others. In the meantime, though, I will continue to be faithful in our asking, believing, and claiming healing in Jesus’ Name, as Christina shared she did as well! Thanks so much for the encouragement to my heart and soul today!!
Tricia,
Thank you for sharing your trials, I pray that God heals every aspect of physical and spiritual warfare in yours and your families lives. When you feel overwhelmed remember to respond to every circumstance with love, also the simple act of praying before responding to others will make a huge difference in how you reacted to stressful circumstances. You can get your copy of Perseverant Parenting here
Link: https://amzn.com/1518783503
Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. (Ps 27:14 [NLT])
I m a surviving preemie! born at seven months, due to a very personal trauma, heart felt moments stayed in incubator five months later, before I was able to go home. And yes, the enemy has tried to take me out many times in this world.
I love this that you say: “We never wavered from calling out to the Lord asking, believing and claiming healing in Jesus name. Every effort thrown at us by the enemy was meant to destroy us, yet God was doing a work within us that was much greater! “And Just wanted to say thank you for writing this book for others to find peace ,hope and add to their faith. t.
Tonya, praise God for you! You were meant to do great things because of him and for him! You can get your copy of Perseverant Parenting here
Link: https://amzn.com/1518783503
Be encouraged God is the author of hope! Christina
My husband and I have traveled a similar road. I struggle with R.A.anD Central Sensitivity Syndrome (fibro and myo facial passion syndrome. My readers would be encouraged by your story. Come share your story with us
Praying for renewed strength and God’s provision as you navigate through this battle. I would love to come share my story, you can contact me here https://christinacalk.com/about/
Christina
Christina,
Thank you for sharing your testimony. Your difficulties and trials are beautifully woven with God’s grace and mercy. I’m thankful your daughter has made a full physical recovery and although you had trails, your spirit uplifts others. We must remember that what we go through does serve purpose and our stories benefit others. “He knows the hearts of those who love him, even when those hearts are burdened.” Its easy to allow stress, worry, and even anxiety creep in and waver my trust in God. I’m thankful for the reminder that God sees past my faults including mumbling prayers and when I’m not so diligent in my walk of faith, especially due to being a ‘busy’ mom and when I feel ‘too tired’ to serve…He sees my heart and my desire…and also provides strength. Thank you.
Lemon, I too understand how anxiety and worry can creep in among a mother’s life. Take heart knowing that God is our ever present source of peace and comfort. I would love to give you a copy of my new book as a gift to encourage you! As you move forward in life call upon the name of Jesus to strengthen you and also lay your burdens at his feet trusting that he will provide for your burdened heart. You can send me your mailing address to parentingseminars@gmail.com
There hv been many struggles in our life too, but God has remained so faithfully to our family! ! My prayer is that God will use our story to be a witness to others! Greater is The One living inside of me than he who is living in the world! ! TY for your story!!
Thank you Julie! I pray that The Lord greatly blesses your family as you persevere for him and by him!
Christina, WOW what a testimony and such encouragement to this special needs momma’s heart! So great to connect through Suzie too (I’m in Dallas). I can’t wait to check out your book!
Kim, I Loved that you were encouraged! God is good! Thank you for your reply, praying blessings over your precious child to prosper and to make a huge impact on the hearts of those who encounter the gifts that God has instilled within a special heart!
Thank you.
Thank you!