When American Bible Challenge Makes You Cry

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taylor watching american bible challenge

Since my daughter, Taylor, was diagnosed with MPS in 2001, I’ve wished for a treatment or a cure. Like every other parent of the terminally ill children in the world, I’ve passed through many stages of grief and loss as she has gradually lost physical functioning over time. I’ve wished I could change things. I’ve wished God would let me take her burden of the disease. I’ve wished that I could find a way to speed medical research along. Somehow I knew in my heart that by the time a treatment would be available for Taylor’s type of MPS, she would be too old and too fragile to try experimental or potential treatments. And that is the case.

But once in awhile, God gives you an opportunity to get a small glimpse of his enormous plan for the universe and  to make a difference in life. Perhaps not the life of your own child, but the lives of children in the future.

I had myself convinced that our team, Lift Your Voice, could win American Bible Challenge- the entire competition- and win the National MPS Society $100,000. It sounds like a lot of money. And it is. But it’s really a small drop in the bucket when it comes to medical research and the money necessary for treating and especially curing a genetic disorder. Families need each other; knowing that you are not alone in the MPS journey is critical to daily life. That’s why our family has hosted a party for MPS families every summer for 12 years; we believe that God has called us to encourage other families who are affected by MPS. A little love can go a long ways.

For those of you who saw The American Bible Challenge show tonight, at the end of the episode, you can see that I was devastated. What you don’t see is that a precious family came to the show to watch it and our family had never met this family, but we have a connection- MPS. The son has a form of MPS and he sat on the left behind our team the whole time the show was being taped.   I wanted to win so badly- if nothing else- just for him. It destroyed my heart that we lost – for him.

Honestly I was so upset that I came home after the taping of the show and fought depression for three weeks. I couldn’t talk about the show to anyone due to the future air date. God’s Word was my light and lamp as I grappled with understanding the pain and suffering of this world and I grieved the loss of the opportunity to raise more awareness and money for MPS children and their families.

But through the saturation of Scripture and seeking the Lord, I came to the realization that really I could sit and cry about it forever or I could choose to never give up. I could be embarrassed over my passion for life and love or I could be encouraged through God’s Word once again. I could believe these 12 Bibles Verse for when you feel like giving up and these 15 Bible Verse for Trusting God in Tough Times or I could be angry and sulk. So I made the choice. The choice to take this incredible opportunity of being on the American Bible Challenge and use it to encourage others who are hurting and suffering.

I chose to make this list of Never Give Up Quotes and my prayer is that no matter the reason you are reading this post, you will leave encouraged and strengthened to keep on going. Another step, another mile, and enjoy the journey.

never give up quotes

Courage doesn’t always roar, sometimes it’s the quiet voice at the end of the day whispering ‘I will try again tomorrow.- Mary Ann Lamacher

Whatever God is urging you to give away cannot be compared to what He ultimately wants to give to you.- Beth Moore

When we’re bombarded with doubts and fears, we must take a stand and say: “I’ll never give up! God’s on my side. He loves me, and He’s helping me! I’m going to make it! – Joyce Meyers

Failure is only the opportunity to begin again- only this time more wisely. – Henry Ford

The past is where you learned the lesson. The future is where you apply the lesson, don’t give up in the middle.- unknown

God would give up His only son before He’d ever give up on you! (John 3:16) – Max Lucado

Discipline weighs an ounce; regret weighs a ton. – unknown

Courage comes from a heart that is convinced it is loved.- Beth Moore

It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan. – Eleanor Roosevelt

Will we ever exit this pit? Yes! Deliverance is to the Bible what jazz music is to Mardi Gras: bold, brassy, and everywhere. – Max Lucado

Hardships often prepare ordinary people for extraordinary destiny.- C.S. Lewis

Once you choose hope, anything’s possible.- Christopher Reeves

Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” – Helen Keller

The brave do not live forever; but the cautious do not live at all. – Princess Diaries

Never give up on anybody; miracles happen every day.- unknown

Courage is fear that has said its prayers and decided to go forward anyway. – Joyce Meyers

Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly. – unknown

Even though you may not understand how God works, you know he does. – Max Lucado

Love like there’s no tomorrow, and if there is, love again. -Max Lucado

There is not a single darkness in your life that God cannot bring his light upon. – Beth Moore

Make up your mind that you’re not going to quit until you see the fruit of what God has placed within you.- Joyce Meyers

It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up.- Babe Ruth

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.- Galatians 6:9

If you’d like to help us make a difference in the lives of MPS children and families, one way you can help is to volunteer for or donate towards our annual local gathering– details here.

Always for Him,
Rachel

Addendum: 6/20 When I woke up early this morning, I kept thinking about the character and compassion of my husband, Matt Wojnarowski and my brother-in-law, David Faile. I could tell you story after story about their characters. Most pastors only get one day off a week and today, on his “day off” David is helping a church member move and cutting the grass for a deaf man. Tomorrow, my husband begins his first day of “vacation” – staying home to watch the kiddos all week so I can share God’s Word in Africa. Both of these men are fathers to the fatherless every.single.day. and while it’s great to have Bible knowledge, what point is the knowledge if you don’t live it? So blessed to have these two men who love God and others in my life!!! #biblechallenge #liftyourvoice#faithandfamily

23 Comments

  1. Hi. I just have to tell you, you may not have won the money all that night; but you must realize your being on that show raises awareness for MPS. More people have heard about it now because you went on tv and shared about it. How brave! And people who want to donate for it can look it up and find info, places where they Can donate, and we can pray for you. As I most certainly am doing now.
    Thank you for your positive and directional influence thru words. God Bless you, and your family.

  2. Rachel,
    I’ve been following your blog for months without ever leaving a comment, but I felt moved to do so today. This winter I had my own experience with a huge disappointment. The grief at what I saw as a lost opportunity was overwhelming, my heart broken, and my spirit low. At the same time, I felt guilty in my sadness knowing there were so many blessings in my life. As I sought comfort and encouragement, the Lord led me to your blog. I’m a big fan of American Bible Challenge and was so excited to root for you and your team. At the end of the show last night, my heart ached for you – the disappointment on your face was clear and a mirror of my own winter hurt. Thank you for sharing so candidly about your disappointment. Thank you even more for the encouragement you share here on your blog. It was a balm to my heart when I needed it. I hope your heart will be bathed in solace and peace. You have made people aware of MPS and good has and will come of that!

    Blessing on you and your tribe.

    Ramey

    1. Thanks so much for taking the time to encourage me, Ramey!! I appreciate you cheering us on and love the Bible Challenge connection. 🙂 Blessings to you!

  3. Rachel, your team did awesome on the show! You were not only able to win a donation for the MPS Society, you created awareness about these rare disorders. Thank you so much for all you have done, with the game show and for continuing to host a picnic every summer for families to come together. I am hoping that my husband and I will be able to attend your event next month.

    Kris

  4. Good for you, girl. Keep going. Here’s my fave: “Never give in–never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.” (Winston Churchill)

  5. Rachel, you have no idea… NO idea what it is for people like your beautiful daughter and the boy who sat behind you to watch people go to battle for them. To tell them they are worthy and then put it all on the line to prove it. That is priceless. I felt for you as you lost the gameshow, but oh how my heart just burst with the importance you bestowed on invisible people. You are amazing.

    Heart Hugs, Shelly <3

  6. My heart breaks for all you are dealing with, my dear friend. Wouldn’t it be something for you and I to salve all the world’s hurt? But in God’s sovereignty and perfect plan, He allows suffering and sorrow. It may not be left to us to fix the problems, but it is our calling to guide those hurting hearts to the ultimate Healer. You, Rachel, are doing a fabulous job. You inspire me to keep going. Praying for strength, inspiration, and passion as you take your little light to Africa to shine brightly for Christ.

    I love your list of quotes and will be borrowing them. Bless you and your sweet family.

  7. Tom Gamache says:

    Just know that one day our Lord will say to you “well done good and faith servant enter into your reward”

  8. Theresa L says:

    You all did great. I know it didn’t turn out the way you had hoped, but God can take that $5K and do amazing things with it. Look what he did with 5 loaves and 2 fish. Hey! It just hit me that that had something to do with 5K, too! LOL Get it? You won $5K and He fed 5K people? Anyway….God is good and will use it, but you know that! *HUGS* to you, your hubby, your BIL, and sweet Taylor!

  9. Rachel, I’m so sorry for what all you’ve been going through recently…thank you for sharing…you and your sweet family and especially precious Taylor remain in my thoughts and prayers.

  10. I had the opportunity to watch Lift Your Voice on American Bible Challenge last night. No, you didn’t win the big $$ prize for MPS. But American Bible Challenge also is a very popular show – which means that there are many people in this country that have now heard of MPS, who had never heard of it before. Who knows how God may use the viewership of American Bible Challenge to make an even bigger impact than that $100,000 would’ve made! You guys did great!

  11. I felt your pain and your strength in God when reading this. Keep staying strong

  12. My heart feels for you Rachel. When you desire to help those who need help, but it’s out of your control or it doesn’t go the way you expect it should. God is working though. I’m so inspired by your gumption and faith. Keep going! X

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