For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness (Isaiah 61:10).
What constitutes a life well lived? This question is one all of us have most likely grappled with at one time or another. Christina Sollenberger is one woman with MCS who has inspired me as I have observed the strength of character she has displayed while living in difficult circumstances. Christina and her husband George have spent nine of the last twelve years living in a travel trailer due to their inability to find other safe housing for Christina. They have no well to get water from, so they must drive into town where they get water to haul onto their property. To bathe they take sponge baths, and for cooking, Christina uses two hot plates and a small convection oven.
Many of Christina’s clothes have holes in them and some are threadbare. Finding safe clothes is a challenge for her because when she has tried to purchase new ones, she is unable to tolerate them even after cooking them in a pressure cooker and washing them up to fifty times. She recently resorted to borrowing some of her husband’s shirts and pajamas, and fortunately, George has a good sense of humor about this and thinks they look cute on her. During her times of frustration over her lack of suitable clothing, Christina focuses on the fact that someday when she gets to heaven she will be clothed with garments of righteousness.
Over the years, Christina has endured her share of hardships in regard to her health situation. In the early 80’s she contracted valley fever which required complete bedrest. By 1984, she was so ill she feared she might be dying, so she and George started planning her funeral. Fortunately, the Lord led Christina to a medication that helped her regain a certain measure of health, and it turned out her time on this earth was not up yet after all. God still had more plans for her.
How has Christina survived all the ups and downs of her battle with MCS? One way she has coped is by clinging to God’s Word. One of Christina’s favorite scriptures is Isaiah 30:15 which says, “In quietness and trust is your strength.” When Christina becomes frustrated and discouraged by her circumstances, God often reminds her of this verse, telling her to quiet down, read scripture, and trust His sovereignty. When she does this, God fills her with peace and gives her the strength to go on.
Even though Christina’s health limitations have prevented her from realizing many of the dreams and aspirations she had as a young woman, she realizes that a successful career and worldly acclaim isn’t what counts in God’s economy. What matters to Christina is fulfilling God’s purpose for her life, no matter how great or small the calling. Christina realizes the importance of trusting God every step of the way in her difficult journey in life. She looks forward to the day when she will receive her transformed body and hope to hear her Master say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:21) That will be the mark of a life well lived.