“Lord,” my mother used to pray, “don’t let Michael have an easy life.”
    I trembled when she uttered that prayer. But the more I thought about it the more thankful I was for it. That prayer made me what I am.
    I knew the Lord loved me, and that He would make all things work together for my good; and as a Christian, I walked by faith, not by sight.
    By faith I turned my obstacles into opportunities and scars into stars, and every burden became a blessing.
    I learned to thank God no matter what happened.