Ugly, Horrible Packages Can Hide the Most Beautiful Gifts

       I think the title of my blog is pretty self-explanatory as to what it means, but I want to share what the story is behind it. The words come from one of my very favorite songs. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-2dKOfbC9c) I encourage you to listen to it sometime. The lyrics:

"The Proof Of Your Love"

If I sing but don't have love
I waste my breath with every song
I bring an empty voice, a hollow noise
If I speak with a silver tongue
Convince a crowd but don't have love
I leave a bitter taste with every word I say

So let my life be the proof,
The proof of Your love
Let my love look like You and what You're made of
How You lived, how You died
Love is sacrifice
So let my life be the proof,
The proof of Your love

If I give
To a needy soul but don't have love then who is poor?
It seems all the poverty is found in me

So let my life be the proof,
The proof of Your love
Let my love look like You and what You're made of
How You lived, how You died
Love is sacrifice
Oh, let my life be the proof,
The proof of Your love

When it's all said and done
When we sing our final song
Only love remains
Only love remains

Let my life be the proof,
The proof of Your love
Let my love look like You and what You're made of
How You lived, how You died
Love is sacrifice
So let my life be the proof,
The proof of Your love

(Based on 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 ~ The Message Bible)

This song has become what I like to call my "life song." I want to sacrifice, I want to give without holding back, I want my life to be proof of Christ's love. But there's more to the story than the fact that these lyrics speak to me so much. God has placed many trials in my young life and has used those to shape me and create a desire in me to serve Him.

       My mom and her friend Paula often talk about the "ugly packages of life." These are things that appear horrible, ugly, difficult, challenging, and even unbearable. But what we often do not realize is that in these hideous packages, God can hide the most beautiful, precious, wonderful, life-changing gifts. There is so much truth behind that. And it goes perfectly with the story behind this song and my life. 

       God placed a seemingly ugly, horrible package in my life (and my family's). I don't mean something that you look at and think how ugly it is. An ugly package can come in the form of any trial. For our friend, Paula, it was cancer. For us, it was a disease called Mucolipidosis Type II or I-Cell Disease. My niece, Amber, was diagnosed with this as a baby. (For those of you who have not heard of this or don't quite understand it, feel free to ask me or visit this website to learn more about it. http://www.ismrd.org/the_diseases/mucolipidosis_ii) 

       The ugly package of this disease wrapped the most beautiful, precious gift I've ever had, Amber. Her life taught me me so many things, impacted me in so many ways, and literally has caused changes in my life that have created who I am today.

      Amber taught me that it's okay to be different. To make the most of every circumstance I'm given. If I cannot do something like everyone else, find my own way!

She taught me to be positive, to make the most of what I'm given. If I'm given something difficult, make the best of it! 

She taught me that God gives us so many blessings and gifts in life that we overlook. To appreciate and enjoy all the blessings God gives me. Especially His creation!

To spend time with those I love. Don't waste my life in anger and frustration, learn to forgive, forget, and love people for who they are.

To laugh, smile, and blow kisses! Every day is a gift, make the most of it!

And simply to love.

Such a small, precious girl taught me so many things. When I think back on her life, I don't know that I would ask God to change it. Of course I would ask that she wouldn't have had to suffer and live with pain, but what Amber accomplished in her short life is more than I could ever dream of for myself. I pray that I can live like my precious niece did, making the absolute most out of what I've been given by simply loving.
       Although Amber's life greatly shaped me to be who I am today, her parents, my brother and sister-in-law, also taught me many things. They taught me to be positive, if something's difficult, push through it. To keep my head up and appreciate each moment. To love deeply, and don't hold back. And to cherish every moment.
       All of these things are what lead me to the song "Proof of Your Love." Because the way Luke and Schuyler live, and Amber's life are proof of His love.
       Yes, we are all grieving deeply the loss of such a precious life. But I thank God for using such a horrible package, to bring us such a beautiful gift. I am thankful for the love of my Savior; He is the perfect proof of love.

"But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. "the Lord is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in Him" The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord." ~ Lamentations 3:21-26