The Grace to Help Others

A few weeks ago, I met a remarkable young woman who lives with multiple health challenges, and yet with a glowing smile told me all about how God had used her to encourage two other ill girls her age. I loved her passion for helping others and how she feels God may be giving her direction for her future and how to channel her gifts and energies to help similarly ill young people. So I asked her to write up her testimony for the encouragement of my blog readers.

It is with great pleasure that I introduce you today to Elaini Garfield (on the left in the picture). I hope you will find the time to read her whole story because I think it will encourage you not only in how God works through our own limitations and frailties, but also how He can use us to inspire others to support any "God-sized" ventures He puts on our hearts. Here's how her story begins:

This is an example of how faithful and loving our God is.  Our lives truly are like a dance and Christ has predetermined how each individual’s life will weave into the others throughout the steps.  Before I can really share the beauty of what He has done in my life in the last month I must first share briefly how I have come to this place.  My name is Elaini and God has, in His grace, saved me and called me His own.  All my life I have had different health struggles, but in the last four years my life has been drastically different from what I could have ever planned.  My health was so poor that for these four years I have been extremely limited in what I could do and accomplish.  Thankfully I serve a God who is not limited by physical strength.  Instead in His mercy He uses the weak and helpless, and has put in me a love for those that are hurting, especially those with health difficulties.

In February my dad heard about a young lady who had just been diagnosed with leukemia.  Marissa is just seventeen and she is a Christian who loves God with all her heart.  Her family had set up a caringbridge site (similar to a blog) to update their friends and family about the different stages of the sickness that they were experiencing.  I was able to get on and read about her, as well as post a note of encouragement on her guestbook.  The Lord had heavily laid her on my heart and I was sure He had a good reason.  Two days before she went into the hospital to start the intensive part of her treatment, God prompted me to purchase stylish hospital gowns for her.  Yes, hospital gowns.  While browsing the Internet I had come across some very fashionable gowns, and I knew that if I were Marissa I would not want to be wearing an ugly, drab sack of material.  (If you already feel bad it doesn’t help if you look bad as well!) When I discovered the B.Y.O.G. company--bring your own gown--I knew this was going to be good.

 

One idea led to another and very quickly I decided to ask friends to join me in purchasing these “dresses,” as well as writing notes of encouragement to Marissa.  I was blessed and overwhelmed by the response of generosity that started pouring out around me.

Everyone was so willing that I had more than enough and was able to order two gowns.  When I went on to B.Y.O.G’s website the Lord directed me to a page about the owners, Andrea and Cindi.  At the bottom of the page about them was this verse from Psalms 37:4, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”  Excitedly I wrote the owners and shared that I was a Christian and I believed that verse as well, and explained to them what my girl friends and I were doing.  Their response was prompt, gracious, and kind.  Some special packaging was needed, which they were eager to do.  They also said they would pray for Marissa and enlist their Bible study to pray as well.
 
A few days later the package arrived in the mail and I couldn’t help but jump up and down with excitement as I read this enclosed note:

“Dear Elaini,

We were so touched by what you girls have done for Marissa and we wanted to match your contribution.  Enclosed, please find four gowns for Marissa.  We thought she could use the suitcase for all the cards she will be receiving too.

God bless!

Cindi and Andrea”
 
Wow, not only did they send it beautifully wrapped but they also sent two more gowns.  It was such a confirmation of God’s plan.
 
Several days later I was delighted to finally meet Marissa, a warm, sweet, and friendly girl. When I gave her the gowns she was very overwhelmed and she enjoyed reading the cards and looking at the girl’s pictures who had helped with the purchase.   I was so grateful to be a part of what God was doing.  The notes ended up going up all over the walls of her room and she even modeled the gowns for me. She said that she had been asking the Lord that morning if cute and discreet (modest) hospital gowns existed!
 
That night as her family, some other friends, and my mom and I stood in a circle praying, I felt God’s presence. As we prayed I became aware of another need as God opened another door for me to walk through. We prayed for Marissa’s friend who was her age and also had leukemia.  She was in the room four doors down from her.  It was then that I knew I should start the process again.  Pretty soon I had enough money for one gown, but I was praying the Lord would provide enough for two.  My mom went to her hairdresser a few days later and was telling her about all of this.  By the end of the conversation the hairdresser told my mom to take the money she would have paid her and put it towards a second gown.  Over the next few days the rest of the money came in.  I went back to my friends at B.Y.O.G. and once again they delivered such wonderful service.
 
It amazes me how God has blessed me.  I have been able to develop a wonderful friendship with Andrea, Cindi, and Marissa. Since Andrea and Cindi live in another state we keep in touch with email, but I have been privileged enough to be able to visit with Marissa frequently.  God was gracious enough to allow me to make new dear friends as well as get outside of myself and focus on others even during my own health issues.
 
I stand in awe of the way God works and that He would allow me to see a glimpse of how He is orchestrating His plan.  Even though my body is weak Christ provided me with a unique way to show me His love and how He never leaves us or forsakes us.  There were so many little things that He did that made it obvious of His working.  I truly feel as if I got to hear God’s heartbeat through so many different people.  Bubump: God gave me a desire. Bubump: He directed me to the right people.  Bubump:  Others gave. Bubump: I made new friends. And through it all I have realized that helping others in this way is so energizing.

As I continue to heal I know God will lead and direct me.  I don’t know what He has in store next but I do know that whatever He does will truly be awesome and that I can trust Him fully.  To Him be all the glory and power forever and ever.
 
P.S. I would love it if you would check out B.Y.O.G.  They have a great product and if you know a woman who is expecting, their gowns are perfect for labor and delivery and would make an excellent shower gift.  However, as I have discovered, they are not JUST for maternity wear!

Comments

[Melissa]

I sent a message in to the lovely ladies at BYOG and got a wonderful message back, speaking of how much they've enjoyed working with Elani and are inspired by her. Thanks for this encouraging and inspiring word today!

[frenchgardenhouse]

Thank you so much for sharing this story. Elaini is a remarkable young woman, so open to allow God to use her. She is a perfect example of what can happen when we focus on the Lord and listen to his plan for us.
Lidy

[Dana]

Hi, I just read Elaina's story and was touched (who would not be?) I am a personal friend of Cindi's (creator of B.Y.O.G), and she is as wonderful as Elaina claims her to be. I feel quite blessed to know her. I would love to get in touch with Elaina and donate a gown myself. I have been wanting to give one as a gift to a pregnant friend since Cindi's company started (no one seems to be pregnant when you need her to be), but this is even better. She sounds amazing, someone who is truly inspirational.

[Kirsty]

Thanks for this post. What an encouragement! It is amazing how God leads us to bless others when we are willing to be lead by Him.

[Miranda Bennett]

Thank you so much for introducing us to Elaini and the work that the Lord is doing through this precious youg lady. Prasie the Lord that He truly uses the weak things of this world to shame the wise and that God works ALL things together for good for those who love Him and called according to His purposes. To Him be the glory!

[nance]

Hi,
Thanks for that wonderful story. We need more people like Elaini.

[Teemie]

Beautiful! So encouraging.

[AnnaChristie]

Love you, Elaini! You are such an inspiration to me. God's incredible, isn't He!!!

[Miss Sandy]

I came here by way of Lidy at French Garden House and am leaving blessed and encouraged. Thank you for sharing this wonderful testimony!

This is a lesson I could learn well from your young friend. It is so hard at times to watch others skip along in their life-paths with such ease. This reminds me that we are all gifted differently, some with abundant health and energy, others with frailty and fragility. In His goodness, He provides opportunities for both to blossom and to serve.

[Christa Taylor]

Go Elaini! It has been such a privilege to watch it all first-hand!

[Jlynn]

That is a beautiful story that really inspired me....thank you! :)

[phyllis]

I'm laughing with glee at what God did...it is so like Him afterall! Bless your heart :)