Promises and Possibilities ... by Chrystal Gilkey

What do you do with the doubters in your life? With those people who think you don’t stand a chance?

As a child and even as an adult, I had a few people in my life like that. My parents were divorced— back when that was uncommon. My family held no great social status. My biological father was an alcoholic. Occasionally, I overheard adults and even family members say,

“It’s too late for her.”

“She’s seen too much.”

“She’s trailer trash.”

“She’s not my real sister.”

Every time I felt those words being hurled down at me, I stubbornly took hold of Luke 1:37 and refused to let go. This small verse had a huge impact on my life and it was short enough for me to remember as a child. If they thought success in my life proved impossible, I would show them they were wrong. With God, I would make it. I would go to college. I would provide a stable home. I would stay true to the Lord. God said I could. Where others saw improbability, God saw possibility. For with God, nothing shall be impossible.

With all the problems of life I’ve faced, God has supplied me with so many more promises. I love being able to go to His Word and claim His beautiful promises in the face of my doubters. If you have a problem, God has a promise.

My family had been broken and put together so many times, but in God’s family, I didn’t have to worry if I was a half-sister or a step-daughter. 1 John 3:1 (KJV) promises, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God….” Galatians 3:26 (KJV) says, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”

I didn’t have to distress over disappointments caused by my absentee father. I had a Heavenly Father that never let me down. The Lord also provided a wonderful step-dad and other father figures in my life. Matthew 6:26 (KJV) assures us, “Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?”

I no longer lower my head in shame because of my social status. I can loudly proclaim with confidence, “I’m a child of the King!” Proverbs 14:26 (KJV) declares, “In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: And his children shall have a place of refuge.”

When America Drennan felt the call to Japan at age 53, someone commented, wondering what a woman at her age could accomplish. She let that comment momentarily deter her until she could no longer ignore the Lord knocking at her heart and sailed to Osaka, Japan, in 1883.

I wonder if she ever overheard people talking about her,

“She’s too old.”

“It’s too late for her.”

“She’s just a woman.”

Among her many accomplishments, America established an orphanage and organized women’s schools in Nagoya. She started churches and handed them over to native pastors in different towns in Japan, some 60 miles apart. While traveling and weather conditions took a toll on her body, she did not quit. Ms. Drennan adopted two children and obtained cottages for missionaries to rest and for refugees from China to take haven! Who would’ve thought this widowed woman could have such an amazing impact? Some would call it impossible.

Praise the Lord for His promise of making the impossible possible.

Chrystal Gilkey

A Texas girl born and raised, Chrystal Gilkey resides in Arkansas, with her husband, three children, and two cats. A published author, Chrystal writes to encourage and strengthen people’s faith in God. Connect with her at chrystaljgilkey.com or find her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn @chrystaljgilkey