The Sustaining Kindness of God: Chris & Lindsey Wheeler & Bryan Crum
When kindness is shown to us—whether it’s as small as a smile from a stranger, or as big as someone meeting a need at a desperate time in our lives—we see and feel goodness that is often unexplainable. If we look for them, we can find these divine kindnesses each day, those big and little nods from God that bring us hope and comfort, even in the darkest of hours. These moments are powerful reminders of the sustaining force of divine kindness and the enduring faith it nurtures.
Founders of the ministry Bottle of Tears Chris and Lindsey Wheeler share the challenges they faced after adopting their daughter, Eliana, from Guatemala, all while navigating Lindsey's development of a rare autoimmune disease, and how the kindness of God kept them from despairing.
Later in the episode, we’ll hear from Bryan Crum, a hospice chaplain, who shares what he has learned from spending time with people in their final days and how God shows up in their last moments to demonstrate His sustaining kindness.
Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:
Past interview: Linda Davis and Lang Scott
Upcoming interview: Erin Loechner
Jesus Listens Notetaking Edition
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
Interview Quotes:
“I remember at the beginning of my diagnosis, just really fighting with the Lord, honestly, and going, God, why? Why is this my story? Why have you chosen us to be Eliana’s parents? We are not capable of this. Why did you choose me to have a disease at the same time? It just felt so unfair.” - Lindsey Wheeler
“I laid on my bed crying and asking God, ‘How do I do this? How do I run this race when I am homebound?’” - Lindsey Wheeler
“God was so cool that I got a front row seat to watch people comfort their friends and family, and I was able to read their letters of encouragement and hope to their friends and family, and it gave me encouragement. It helped me to push forward.” - Lindsey Wheeler
“My body continues to fail me, but God hasn't. He has not failed me. And I feel just more confident and more alive than I have in a long time, knowing that He is using me still in the midst of my pain.” - Lindsey Wheeler
“My prayer in those moments is, ‘Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.’ Because sometimes that's all you got.” - Chris Wheeler
“It's humbling just to be invited into people's homes, into their lives at a time when each moment, each minute is just more valuable because you know they're the final ones.” - Bryan Crum
“We let unsaid words hold us in place. And it's almost like this ancient, heavy anchor that ties us down. I've learned that we often need a li
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