God wants you to forget & produce

Today, I want to reflect on both the past and the future. Our past with our daughter was filled with pain, especially on dates like September 5 her birth, October 6, and December 27. On October 6, she endured a terrible second infection, and on December 27, she underwent another surgery to place a shunt to drain spinal fluid from her brain cavities, which had started to affect her vision.

These were incredibly difficult times. I often felt like Joseph in the Bible, moving forward only to be set back again. Although I can’t fully compare my experience to his, I understand the feeling of hardship. Yet, I refused to dwell on frustration or allow others to pity us. Instead, I wanted those who knew our situation to bring faith, support, and joy.

That mindset began with me. In those moments, I had to set the tone for how we would navigate this journey and continue praying for a brighter future. The past is behind us and I can’t remain there.

Key passages 

Genesis 41:51-52

Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, “It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.” The second son he named Ephraim and said, “It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.”

Philippians 3:13-14

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

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Podcast Music by: prazkhanal
Song: Whip

Transcript

Key passages 

Genesis 41:51-52

Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, “It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.” The second son he named Ephraim and said, “It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.”

Philippians 3:13-14

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Today is my daughter’s birthday—September 5. I can hardly believe she’s one. Although her adjusted age is 8 months, as she was born 4 months early, we’re celebrating this day as a significant milestone for a baby who had less than a 20% chance of survival.

Many of you know her story by now and understand that this podcast came into existence from that journey. As parents, we faced a situation entirely beyond our control, and it was only by God's grace that my husband and I made it through. I am forever grateful to Him.

Today, I want to reflect on both the past and the future. Our past with our daughter was filled with pain, especially on dates like September 5 her birth, October 6, and December 27. On October 6, she endured a terrible second infection, and on December 27, she underwent another surgery to place a shunt to drain spinal fluid from her brain cavities, which had started to affect her vision.

These were incredibly difficult times. I often felt like Joseph in the Bible, moving forward only to be set back again. Although I can’t fully compare my experience to his, I understand the feeling of hardship. Yet, I refused to dwell on frustration or allow others to pity us. Instead, I wanted those who knew our situation to bring faith, support, and joy.

That mindset began with me. In those moments, I had to set the tone for how we would navigate this journey and continue praying for a brighter future. The past is behind us and I can’t remain there.

When she finally came home, we faced a new set of challenges. The sleepless nights were just the beginning. We had countless doctor’s appointments with eight specialists, along with weekly therapy and check-ins. It was overwhelming, and we kept her away from people due to her weakened immune system too. But we managed all these things in the present so that we could have a better future.

Recently, I read about Joseph’s marriage to his Egyptian wife and their two sons. The meanings of their son’s names struck me.

Genesis 41:51-52 says, “Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, ‘It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.’ The second son he named Ephraim and said, ‘It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.’”

Joseph’s first son, Manasseh, signifies forgetting past troubles. His second son, Ephraim, signifies being fruitful in the land of suffering. Wow.

These names represents so much to Joseph’s journey as well as our own lives in a way —remembering where we came from while looking forward to where we’re going.

Here are key 2 takeaways from their names:

• God wants us to forget or shall we say “put out” of your mind our past trouble: Especially when He has blessed us after those hard times. We can’t keep revisiting past pain when new blessings have come. And if you are, you will need to deal with it to get your closure. The phrase, “I’ll forgive but not forget,” can sometimes hinder us, it’s keeping the hurt alive. I struggle with this daily too, but am working on too to put those past troubles away. Satan wants us to remember so he can reignite bitterness. Imagine if Joseph had remained bitter toward his brothers for how they treated him. The story of Moses might not have happened, and Israel could have perished during the famine because Joseph could have sought revenge instead of extending grace. (That’s a devotion for another day!)
• Be productive: Produce good and helpful results in your life. Live for the Lord, for your loved ones, and for your passions that glorify God. Strive to produce good outcomes in your work, family, and spiritual walk. Do your best to move forward and build a good future because that’s what God desires for you.

Joseph did the same—producing good results by saving Egypt and many others during the famine. He then forgave his brothers, brought his family to Egypt, and did so much more.

We plan to raise our daughter to love Christ. I plan to continue this podcast and produce good. I hope it continues to touch people. I can’t let fear hold me back from living my life because of what we went through with Sage too. I can’t be afraid to have more children or to NOT let her experience life just because of how she entered this world. I’ve got to let her live and produce. 

God is present in the past with us, but He’s also there for the future. He wants us to move on from our hard times after the blessings or lessons come and focus on producing good results through our Lord & Savior as well. 

Key verses to remember:

Philippians 3:13-14

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

So, what about you? Can you experience hardship, let go of it, and move forward to produce good results in your future? Or are you still stuck in your past?