12 Oct, 2007

Happy Birthday Chelsey!

Meet a teenage girl who continues to praise the Lord even though her circumstances are very difficult.

Chelsey Junker is 19 years old this weekend!

God has given me the privilege of a friendship with Chelsey. I say this because she has taught me a lot about faith, God's grace and God's purposes.

The fact that she is alive to celebrate her birthday is another one of God's miracles! In January of 2005, Chelsey, 16 at the time, was severly injured in a snowmobile accident. (This first photo is of Chelsey before the accident.)

Surviving the trauma of major brain injuries and a severed spinal chord, Chelsey returned home after almost seven months in a hospital. She has continued to make some improvements, but Chelsey is paralyzed from the chest down and is unable to see. She has made incredible progress in areas of speech and the use of her arms.

Her sweet spirit, sense of humor, and most of all - her love for Christ -blesses everyone who meets her! Chelsey is teaching everyone who meets her about what it means to trust God and praise Him, no matter what. My favorite quote from Chelsey is "I praise God that I'm alive!"

(Chelsey is in the middle here with her family.)

Psalm 104:31-34

31 May the glory of the Lord continue forever!
The Lord takes pleasure in all he has made!
32 The earth trembles at his glance;
the mountains smoke at his touch.

33 I will sing to the Lord as long as I live.
I will praise my God to my last breath!
34 May all my thoughts be pleasing to him,
for I rejoice in the Lord.

What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about praising God?

The psalmist points out that God alone is worthy of praise, because He has made everything, is in complete control, and deserves all glory! Notice that the earth "trembles" when He looks at it. The psalmist sings praise to God just for having "being" which means that God determines our very breath and when we will take our last breath.

Chelsey shares the heart of the psalmist.

When she says in her quiet voice and with all her heart, "I praise God that I'm alive", it grabs your heart with God's love and His Truth.

Through God connecting His Story with Chelsey's story, we are reminded that God loves us and has a perfect plan and purpose for each of us. He alone is worthy of all our praise!

What do you need to praise God for today? What problem do you need to trust God with? Even though life is often hard to understand and you can't see the future...God does.

How can you connect today's God's Story scripture with your story?

  • Pray right now. Take a couple of minutes to talk to your loving Heavenly Father...He already knows your problems and needs, but He is waiting to listen to you pour your heart out to Him...now thank Him for His love, His sovereign plan and purpose in your life...finish by praising Him....
  • Pray every day for Jesus to give you the faith you need to trust God, no matter what, and to praise Him for "just being alive"!
  • Write down a list of reasons to praise God in your life, no matter what. Keep this where you will see it regularly. Let it be a reminder to you of God's love and faithfulness to you.

How can you connect today's story, God's Story scripture and your story to others?

  • Pray for Chelsey and her family. Pray for God to do another miracle by restoring her eyesight.
  • Send Chelsey a birthday greeting and let her know that you're praying for her. You can email her at: chelseyj@frontiernet.net
  • Use today's story as a way to encourage someone else who is facing a difficult time. But be careful to express it as an example of God's love and power, without making the other person feel that he or she must immediately respond with the same faith that Chelsey has. It's always best to show that we care and then ask questions and then listen....before we start talking like we have all the answers. Here's a recent journal entry from Chelsey:

Journal

Wednesday, August 29, 2007 7:13 AM CDT

Hey ya'll
I wanted to tell everyone that my summer went Great!!!!!!!
My family and I went up north to Park Rapids for vacation. I loved basking in the rays of the sun and going to fire works where I actually saw the light flashes from the fire works,that was Grrreat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kala's wedding was a blast of a great time. The dresses were even my favorite color which of course is blue.
The day after Labor Day I'll be going to start working at the D.A.C.(Developmental Achievement Center) in Windom. I'm looking forward to working there and saring my faith with others there. I hope it will go well. I'm not looking forward to getting up so early, Grrrr. I'll have to be in town by 7:30 and they'll bring me back home around 2:45
Thanks for all your Prayers and E-mails, I love them
Bye bye.
Chels


Cor. 12:9 "My grace is all you need. My Power works best in weakness". So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses,so that the power of Christ can work through me.

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God's Story is brought to you by Youth for Christ. YFC works with young people on campus and in the community in over one hundred countries around the world so that they might have an opportunity to become a follower of Christ and be a part of a local church.

Our writer, Byron Emmert, has been with YFC for over 30 years and has served as Campus Life Staff, in leadership for DCLA, and as an author and speaker. Byron is available for speaking at youth or adult events and conferences. For booking, write to byron@3Story.org.

Byron and his wife Linda live in Minnesota and their family includes two married sons and daughters-in-law, a grandaughter, and a daughter in college. He loves sports, deep dish pizza, and spending time with his family.