I was worshiping at youth group a couple nights ago. God really spoke to me that night about something that happened at the girl’s retreat. He was reminding me of what he told me up there.
At the girl’s retreat we had a time when we had to ask God certain questions that were in the book, then we had to share what God told us after ten or fifteen minutes. One of the the questions was:
” What does God think is unique about you?”
God clearly showed me something right then. I my eyes filled with tears because I would NEVER have thought that was unique about me. I actually thought the total opposite. I didn’t want to share it with the whole group. So everyone went around telling what God had said to them. The group got really deep. I was the last person to talk. In the time I was waiting, I was trying to say God will you please change it? I l don’t want to share it with the whole group, But God said “No”. God loves this about me. It finally got around to me. It was really hard to say it, but here it goes.
I have a learning disability. I hate talking about it. I feel some people won’t like me because of it. I never feel very smart when it comes to school stuff, I actually feel really dumb. I feel I am not as “cool” as everyone else. It makes me sad. Sometimes I used to feel that I wouldn’t find the right guy because of this. But God said, “This is how I made you. I love this about you. This makes you different from the world. The guy I have in mind for you will understand.” All I could think is Wow!
To bring it back to the worship night, God really spoke to me and reminded me about things he thinks are awesome that I didn’t think were awesome. God is incredible. God made me the way that I am and I guess that will never change. It is important to remember to treasure what God tells you to. God made me who I am and I know who I am. I guess the learning disability is a gift and not a curse.
annettebudd Said:
on June 7, 2008 at 11:22 pm
Elissa - I am so delighted that God chose to make you the way that He did! Your learning disability has always been a blessing not only to me but also to our entire family. If things had not been the way they were, I probably would have continued to teach from text books in a very “canned” way. You made me a better teacher and everyone benefited from that.
It also forced us to spend hours and hours and hours together - and you know how that has blessed our relationship. Even though I know that this difference in you has brought you a lot of pain and frustration, it has made you to be one of the most incredible people that I know. God used this as a tool to grow things inside you that He may not have been able to accomplish any other way.
Never doubt God and His way of doing things. I love the way that He made you. I love the sacrifice and time that was spent by both of us to get you through. Even if I had the power to, I would not change one thing that God made in you. You are a godly young woman and I am proud to call you my daughter.
thehosh Said:
on June 9, 2008 at 5:56 pm
I am very proud of you for this post. Good job. You are amazing! Keep chasing God!
Christina Said:
on June 14, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Elissa, you are one of the most amazing people I’ve ever known. You are my hero, my friend, and one of my favorite sisters. I’m so proud of who you are and how you help people with your own testimony. It’s an honor to know you and get to see how bad you sing
Love you.
Take it up « 1or2thoughts Said:
on June 20, 2008 at 8:31 pm
[...] Posted on June 20, 2008 by mbrage There seems to be a common theme between Whitney and Ellissa. This is interesting in light of the many changes I see others dealing with, and change of course [...]
obedientson Said:
on July 5, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Yay for girls retreat!
Yay God.
seanmichaelbrage Said:
on July 8, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Elissa, you continue to find new ways to amaze me. I am constantly made more proud of you and your honesty, and how genuine you are.
Teddy Roosevelt, Sarah Palin and a Bull Moose « Overflow of the Heart Said:
on September 6, 2008 at 11:36 pm
[...] aloud to my children. It was one of the first and best blessing our family experienced because of Elissa’s dyslexia. We read biography after biography after biography. We spent a lot of time discussing each [...]