I love Max Lucado’s books, and he is an engaging speaker, as well. He spoke on campus at Chapel last year, and we watched his video presentation as part of a staff retreat on Tuesday.

He shared some thoughts about his book, “You Are Special,” which was written as a children’s tale but has been embraced by the business community, as well. He mentioned the “trickle-down effect” of how special we feel when we know someone who knows someone special.

I remember how special I felt when I met John Grisham at an elevator during a literacy event in Dallas a few years ago. He – a best-selling author! – shook my hand, exchanged a few pleasantries and seemed genuinely interested in what I thought of his writing. I certainly felt special!

Mr. Lucado’s message, though, was that we are special simply by the fact that we are here on earth, created in the image of God. “You can do something no one else can do in a fashion no one else can do it,” he said, “and you have a unique assignment in the world.”

I’ve been mulling over some thoughts for a new post the past several days, and Mr. Lucado’s message helped to solidify some of my musings. It was ironic that he mentioned the “trickle-down effect,” because that is precisely the phrase that has been on my mind lately. I’ve been thinking of it in terms of how certain events in our lives affect so many other people. I talked in an earlier post about the ripple effect of Nathan’s life on those around him, and I continue to grapple with the ongoing impact of his death.

In my own life, it feels like things haven’t trickled down on me so much as a deluge has been dumped over my head. I’ve been struggling lately with the fact that I am the back-up plan. Nathan died; I’m his sister; I’m the boys’ guardian now. But what if I died? There’s not a Plan C. I worry about things that are a) out of my control and b) haven’t happened. I serve a God who is SO big, SO mighty, SO good … yet I fail to trust him with the unknown.

Sometimes I have a sort of invincible feeling, as if God wouldn’t let anything happen to me because the boys need me. That sounds so stupid, and don’t worry – I’m not going skydiving or developing any dangerous habits – but my human nature can’t wrap my finite mind around God’s much higher thoughts. Who am I to think that just because I’ve suffered greatly means that I’m exempt from future suffering? The world is full of hurting people, many of whom lack the hope that I have in Christ.  I want to be like Job; he lost everything, and he wrestled with God, but he didn’t lose faith.

I do have a unique assignment in the world, but it doesn’t really matter what my Plan B or Plan C are – or any of my fears or aspirations, for that matter – because our time here on earth is only a fraction of God’s plan for us. As Mr. Lucado put it: “Right now, it’s just a warm-up – a temporary assignment.” Take a step forward today, Angela, and trust your Creator.