Guest Post: Fearfully and Wonderfully

Welcome guest blogger Paige Snedeker.

Psalm 139:14-16 (ESV)
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

Have you ever felt an overwhelming sense of shame for the individual you are? I have. Perhaps you have doubted your self-worth. Well, I have an interesting story to share.

One day, as I was in a conversation with my great-aunt, I inquired, “How was your trip to England?”

I love hearing her adventures! I learn something new each time. However, this time her story struck a chord in me.

“We had a wonderful time there. We attended a wedding and met a woman there.” After a brief pause, she continued, “Upon introducing ourselves, we greeted each other by shaking hands. I would have never guessed that she had an artificial arm. To the naked eye, it was as real as anybody else’s.”

My aunt, realizing the rigid unnatural stiffness of the woman’s artificial hand, looked at her in wonder.

I asked curiously, “Was she embarrassed by her prosthetic arm?”

My great-aunt shook her head, “No. She knows that many people have some sort of disability—even if you can’t see it.”

Amazed by her story, I thought to myself, “Could I ever be as brave as this woman?”

It was remarkable to hear a story about such a fearless woman with a disability. She had no intention of hiding who she was.

I remember when I first got my trach, I was not sure about myself. All I could feel was shame, unsure of how others would respond to me, for being different.

If I were in her place, I would try my best to hide the prosthetic arm and would avoid shaking hands with others. This woman does not allow her arm to slow her down or stop her in life.

Though this greeting was brief, it reminded me to always be bold and confident and not to allow my disabilities to stunt my personal growth.

I hope that this story encourages you to be bold, achieve your goals, and conquer your fears.

GIVEAWAY!!!  Comment on this post and share for a chance to WIN a set of Paige Snedeker’s postcards! Her cards showcase 5 of her beautiful artworks that ANYONE would love receiving in the mail, or even displayed in their home! Deadline to enter is April 2nd, so comment and share NOW!

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Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language