"When you experience something really black, the bright spots can shine through, whereas before everything was just kind of gray."

In this deeply personal episode, we explore the reality of suffering - particularly when it involves our children - through the story of Jessie Rettinger and her youngest daughter Vivian's journey with a rare liver condition. Through our conversation, we examine:

• How God works through suffering to draw us closer to Him and our community
• The role of wisdom and prayer in navigating medical challenges
• The importance of advocating for our children in healthcare settings
• Finding joy and purpose even in dark moments
• The power of community support during difficult times
• Learning from children's natural ability to be present and find joy
• How suffering can strengthen rather than weaken our faith
• The beauty of "childlike faith" and what we can learn from it

Jessie shares her family's experience from the initial diagnosis during pregnancy through multiple surgeries, highlighting both the challenges and the "little miracles" that occurred along the way. She describes how this journey deepened her faith and helped her discover authentic joy through suffering.

We also discuss practical insights for parents facing similar challenges, including:

• The importance of specific, intentional prayer for our children
• Being open to accepting help from our community
• Learning to recognize God's presence in difficult moments
• Finding purpose through praying for others during our own trials
• Maintaining hope and joy while facing uncertainty

The episode concludes with Jessie's beautiful story about her daughter's simple, pure faith and her current work with Undivided Life, helping professionals integrate their faith with their work.

For those interested in learning more about Undivided Life's work, visit undivided.life

Remember to keep Jessie and her family in your prayers as they continue their journey.

Chapters:
0:00 - Singing and dancing
5:00 - Motherhood and suffering
17:42 - A story about suffering
31:34 - When God meets you in your suffering
39:45 - Joy
49:36 - Our Blessed Mother and a prayer

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