Amazing love...

It seems like it was decades ago that I shared the miraculous story of how AJ became ours.  Yet, it also seems as if those days were just yesterday.  I remember every emotion, down to the deepest part of my very being.  The exuberant joy.  The overwhelming grief.  The fear.  And the mixed raw emotions that allowed us to peek into the very heart of Jesus.  All of these feelings, balled up into what became one huge miracle, a little boy we would forever call our son, A.J., and how he and the woman who gave him life, forever changed ours.

So, if you've not read it before, grab yourself a coffee and sit back, while I share with you our story, written 11 years ago, with God's fingerprints all over it.

March 22, 2006

Today we held our beautiful son for the first time. 

This is our story.

Leaving the house at 5 a.m. to meet our birth mom
at the hospital.

We arrived at the hospital a little before 6 a.m.   With very anxious nerves, Scott and I hugged one last time before entering the elevator doors that would lead us to the "birthing suites".  The thought of reading those two words made my eyes well up.  We walked in and approached the two nurses behind the desk. I said we were Scott and Ohilda Bombardier and that we were the adoptive parents for our birth mother.   The nurse kindly said, "I know exactly who you are!" 

  

I could not believe the day had arrived! We were having a baby!

I looked at Scott and gave him a nervous smile.  I asked if our birth mother was already there, and she said, "Yes."  Then she said, "Follow me and I will show you to your room."  She took us to a typical hospital room, pretty bare with the exception of two side-by-side hospital beds, with a separate small bathroom that consisted of a toilet and a sink. No shower, which was fine.  We didn't want a shower, we wanted our baby.   

After putting our things down, she asked if we wanted to go to the BM's room. Scott and I guardedly nodded and we were led to the other side of the hall across from our room.   We knocked and heard, "Come in".  With shaking hands, I opened the door slowly and walked in to the  "birthing suite".   A very nice room with a sitting area for family.  As we entered, we noticed there were two other people in the room.  One I knew was our birth mother's step-mother, the other was a man.  We had no idea who he was, since to date, we had only met our birth mother.  I went over and hugged her and she said in a cheery, bright voice, "I'm ready!!"   I hope that as I journal through this journey, I can bring forth even a  little of what a magical spirit this amazing young woman has.  God has taken us on paths that have been long and winding, and ones we said we'd never travel, yet here we were, face to face with a birth mother, doing a domestic adoption, and meeting not only her, but her entire family, at her request.  We gave it to the Lord and continued to believe that His plan was perfect.  I had not seen her in quite some time so I was pretty happy to see that her belly was quite large.  :) 

The nurse came in shortly afterwards and asked us to go to our room until she completed some of the prep needed for the c-section.  Scott, the step mom, the "unknown" man, and myself walked back to the other side of the hall and sat in our cold, bare room.   At first, it was very awkward.  The conversation was slow, but it picked up momentum.  After a bit of conversation, I realized the "unknown man" was AJ's birth Dad!   That made my heart leap with joy.   I had a face to tell our son about, and it warmed my heart that he was there to meet the family that would be raising his biological son as their own.   After what seemed forever, we went back to the birthing suite and watched as nurses, anesthesiologist, and doctors came in and out....all in preparation for that glorious moment, the birth of Arthur Joseph Bombardier!  

Less than 1 minute after AJ's biological great-grandmother came in, she sat down, looked at us, and said, "Are you the adoptive parents? Do you mind if I interview you?"    This older lady seemed to be the matriarch of the family.  My knees buckled.  That cold room seemed to  be closing in on us.  My head kept asking me "What are you doing here?" yet, my heart knew that I had to trust God and that our son was waiting for us.  We smiled and said, "Sure!"    Scott and I walked across the room.  I sat next to her on the couch and Scott sat to her right in a chair.  She looked at me dead in the eye and said, "This is very important.  Is this child going to be raised in a Christian home?"  I tried so hard fighting back the tears as I tried to get the words out.  Partly relieved that this was the easiest question in the world to answer, and partly scared to death.....I put my arm on her shoulder and said, "I promise you!  Christ is the center of our lives and the reason we are all here today.  This is our miracle baby and we would not have him had it not been for Him orchestrating ALL of this." She then smiled and said, "That is all I wanted to know.  This baby will be in the home he deserves to be in."  From that moment on, I felt a sense of relief, that all was well and that Jesus was present.  For the moment anyways.   

The plan was, for our bm to stay in recovery for 1 hour with the baby.  The c-section was scheduled to begin at 7:30 am, and if all went as planned we'd be holding AJ in our arms by 9:00 am.  So, as scheduled, she was whisked off to the OR at 7:30, while Scott, her Mom, Grandmother, birth Dad and I stayed in the room awaiting the news of his birth.  The nurse told us we'd hear something in about 45 minutes.   Those were the longest 45 minutes of my life!  Finally about 50 minutes later, her step-Mom walks into the room and announces that AJ has made his entrance into the world.  A beautiful baby boy weighing 6 lbs. 9 ozs. and 18 inches long opened his eyes into the world at 8:07 am.  The BM and he were both doing well, and would be in recovery for another 45 minutes to an hour.  The waiting continued.  Shortly afterwards, it was reported  to us that it would be longer than what we anticipated because the bm wanted to spend time feeding the baby, etc.  

It was then that I let my fears get the best of me.  I had given my camera to the nurses who shot many pictures during the delivery and then others during the recovery period.  As I scanned through the pictures, I noticed picture after picture of the love that this woman had for her child.  Tears streaming and soft kisses in many of the pictures.  Her feeding him, loving him.  The ugly side of me began to appear.  I felt like this was MY baby!  She had said so!  I should be feeding.....I should be kissing.  The very selfish side of me wanted all that she had.  I couldn't bring myself to put myself in her place at that moment.  To think about the pain and the raw emotion that she was enduring at knowing that she had just given birth to one of God's most beautiful creations, and she was going to simply hand him over to another woman.  Selfish me only wanted a baby.... that baby.....again, MY BABY!    

Back in the room, after being told for the 3rd time it would be at least another 1/2 hour, I decided I couldn't take anymore.  Scott kept reassuring me that God was in control, but my faith was slipping.  This was not part of the plan.  We should have had him in our arms an hour ago.  I told Scott we needed to get out and get some fresh air.   We excused ourselves and went down to the cafeteria.  It was about 10:30 am.  There was no way I could eat, I didn't know what else to do but cry.  I called my friend who was reporting back to the wonderful adoption community that was praying for us and begged her to please put out a post that we needed prayers....fast!  My mind was already hearing the words, "I'm sorry!!"  Scott ordered breakfast, and I got a small fruit tray.  We sat down at a booth in the corner of  the cafeteria far from anyone's range of hearing.....and I just bawled.  I cried until there was nothing left inside of me.  My eyes stung and my heart ached.  I just wanted it all to end.....good or bad, I couldn't take much more.  Yet, my rock, Scott, kept saying to me, "Ohilda, how can you even question it when Jesus was sitting on the couch with you?  It could have been anyone.  That woman could have  asked how much money do you have in the bank, instead, she asked about Christ being in our lives?  How could you question that?"  His calm, passive, demeanor was astounding to me, especially as he looked me square in the eye and said, "I don't have a worry in the world.  God is in control!"

I toyed with my fruit for a few minutes longer and felt like I was crawling out of my skin.  I then said, "Scott, let's go back to OUR room.  Let's pray.  I don't want to be with the family.  I want to be alone."   I wanted to drown in my misery without having to hide my emotions.

Again, we went up the same elevator doors that we had entered joyously 4.5 hours before.  As we turned to head towards our room, we noticed even more family members had arrived.  OH NO!!!!  I was getting sick to my stomach.  Before we could dodge out of sight, they had seen us and waved.  We had no choice.  We had to go back.  There were probably 8 people outside of the room speaking, many newcomers who were just being whispered to that we were the "adoptive parents".  I felt like I was being looked at as if we were stealing someone's baby.

Keep in mind, this was ALL me....my thoughts, my fears, my insecurities.  Not one person in that room made me feel that way.  The door of the room was ajar and we knocked lightly on it as we proceeded to walk in.  I enter before Scott and I suddenly freeze.....there she is, the woman who had promised us she would entrust this treasure to us, holding one of the most beautiful babies I have ever seen.  I tried to speak, but words just did not come out.  As I slowly made my way around the bed, my mind raced, it was clouded with thoughts, and through this blurriness I hear the words, "AJ, I think there's a lady who is dying to hold you.  Your Mommy!"  

Our tiny bundle of pure perfection.   The epitome of James 1:17.

I turned to Scott, shame poured over me and I just buried myself in his shoulder and cried...and cried, for what seemed forever..  I sat down in the chair beside the bed as she handed  over this teeny little person, all wrapped up in blankets with the sweetest little face.  His bottom lip was tucked in as if pouting and little furrowed brows surrounded his tightly shut eyes.  I couldn't believe it.  It had happened.  Even after I lost faith, after my shameful thoughts and behavior, after all the negativity, God still loved me, unconditionally.   This was going to be our child.  I was holding our youngest son.  I melted into the surroundings and nothing existed for a moment, but my son and myself.  I couldn't hear anything, or see anyone around me.  It was a moment frozen in time.  It was real.  I was holding our baby!  I then composed myself somewhat as I appeared to have come out of the moment and realized that Scott was also a part of this.  I turned to him and asked....."Do you want to hold him?"  SILLY QUESTION!!  He said, "Of course!!!"   The family was now all in the room, since when we walked in, the nurses had asked everyone to step out except for the birth mom, birth dad, and step mom.   The family was commenting on how beautiful AJ was,  and shedding just as many tears as we were.  The only difference being that theirs were tears of joy mixed with, of course, tears of sadness at their loss.  This family was amazing.  They humbled me.  The love and  support that they offered our bm was one I have seen very few times in my life.  BUT....they shared that same love and support with us.   Every family member told us how happy they were that WE were the ones raising  AJ.  They shared with us that  they felt such peace about it.  That our love for him was so evident that if there had been any doubt in their minds, it was all erased at meeting us.

Overwhelmed with joy and God's goodness!

This added to the shame I felt for my selfishness.  I so wished there was another solution to this.  All I could do was thank them all and promise them, with everything I believe in, that we would cherish this child to our dying breath. Their words...."We know."    We were then asked by the bm, again, this young woman, who's strength and courage could only be admired, if we were ready to go spend family time alone.   I bitter-sweetly nodded and we slowly wheeled our new son, in his bassinet, down the hall into our room.  Little did I know how much deeper God was going to pull me in the next day, and how He would crush the judgmental stigma that I had allowed my brain and heart to believe...

TO BE CONTINUED...

The Toughest Job....Ever!

I'm sure bankers on Wall Street, CEO's of huge multi-billion dollar corporations and even neuro-brain surgeons all have very tough jobs. I'm sure they worry and pace, and hopefully probably even pray before taking that next huge step.  

But, this Mama knows the facts, the truth.  There is NO job on the face of the earth that is harder, than being a Mama.  Nothing.  Hands downs. I'm thinking God knew Adam wouldn't have the necessary grit and tenacity to become a Mama, not in the physical sense, but in the emotional sense, that's why he sent him off to work.

Gosh, how I love this silly boy!

It's been quite a while since I've updated on our precious China man, Kai.

We've not quite experienced anything like we did during THIS time period. But, we did have a bit of a scare with his apnea issues last year, where he had to be taken into emergency surgery to open his airways, after he stopped breathing in a previous surgery two days before, getting new tubes in his ears.

Our new doctor in Charlotte is world renown and came highly recommended.  We feel we are in good hands.

Since we arrived in the Promised Land, Kai has been seeing his doctors, and the orthodontists have been working diligently with him to expand his jaw, all in preparation for the the highlight of every child born with a cleft palate, the scary and extremely painful  ALVEOLAR BONE GRAFT surgery. 

My heart aches for my boy.

  

Let me back up a bit.  

It amazes me how "in-tune" I am to this child. I knew he wasn't hearing well again.  I took him to the ENT and sure enough, tubes are out and new ones need to be put in.  His eardrums are flat against the bone because they have no ventilation.  Only problem with this 'routine' surgery is that the last time, his left eardrum was perforated.  It was repaired with a paper patch, as they call it.  The patch held.  The perforation occurred  because of the many sets of tubes he's had put in.  It's worn down the lining of the drum and it is thin and fragile.  The only remedy to revert his hearing again to normal is.....another set of tubes, and the risk of yet another perforated eardrum.  If that happens, we may not get so lucky that a patch will hold and it be repaired.  I'm leaving it to God. 

Have I mentioned that my heart aches for my boy?   Just checking.

God's precious child!

The ENT wanted me to check with his surgeon to make sure he didn't need any other surgeries at this time, so he wouldn't be put under twice.

That brings us to today.   We went to visit his surgeon.   I explained what the ENT had said, and also mentioned that the orthodontists (who had already faxed him their opinions) felt his jaw had been widened enough for the bone graft.  After a thorough examination.  He agreed.

So, we head for our 13th and 14th surgical procedure, his 9th myringtomy (tubes in ears) and the infamous Alveolar bone graft.  

Now here is where I once again claim that being a Mama is the world's toughest job.

I asked the doctor to tell me the procedures and recovery for the bone graft.  

He said that bone for the graft could be accessed from three sources:

• Allograft - cadaveric "living" bone obtained from a bone bank with added stem cells

• Autologous - bone harvested from his own body which could come from either the hip (iliac crest), or the skull (if the hole that needed to be filled is very large).

I asked what the differences and pros and cons would be.

He said pros were the obvious, which is to provide support for the lip and nose, improve symmetry (although his nose will be another surgery in the future), and form a continuous upper gum ridge for adult teeth to adhere to and grow from.

He said the cadaver graft would obviously not have the pain as harvesting a bone from his own body, but he only uses cadaver bone when it is not a large hole he needs to fill.  In addition, doing the cadaver graft he would only need to remain in the hospital one night, if there were no complications.

Then, I asked about the cons and how he would determine which graft he would use for Kai.

He said he would not know until he was in surgery, and looked inside to see the depths and width of the cleft, how much bone or what type of graft he would use.

Number 1 con for the hip or skull, "Pain!"   I asked how long would the pain last, and held my breath hoping to hear, "a day or two".   He responded with, "Two to three weeks."   The surgery would last approximately 5 to 6 hours, and his hospital stay would be 3 or 4 nights, possibly longer, depending on how he does.  He would then be out of school for another week after that and be on liquid/soft foods for 6 weeks. 

He also mentioned that he would need at least two more surgeries to correct his deviated septum and move facial muscles around that will allow for easier breathing, since his palate deformity was pretty severe.

Bless his sweet heart, Kai loathes missing school because of the makeup work.  I told him we'd deal with it.  Honestly, I think we have bigger fish to fry at this time so I'm not gonna stress over it, not to mention that he has amazing teachers that will no doubt, work with us.  

After being told about the autologous grafts, I really almost felt like asking nothing else when he emphasized the pain from the hip.  I felt like I had been punched in the gut.  

I then went to check out and asked when someone would contact me about the surgery.  They told me, of course, that they had to speak to the insurance company (which is a whole other story since we are thousands away from meeting our insane deductible), and then coordinate with the ENT a surgical date.  But, she was clear to say that we are not to expect anything for at least TWO MONTHS.  I said, "Months?  TWO MONTHS?"  The girl said, "Yes, we have approximately 45 children waiting to be put on the schedule for surgery."   ::sigh::   

So, we are looking at the end of April, possibly May before all this occurs.  I remain steadfast on the fact that God's timing is perfect, so I didn't question it, or try to push for an earlier date. Besides, I was still numb, thinking about my skinny, little guy who will be crying in pain.  I have seen that sweet face beg me to stop the hurt after a surgery, and have felt completely helpless. But, I have also seen God perform miracles right before my eyes, when I begged Him to take the pain away.

It's hard to explain, unless you've been through it, how difficult it is to see your child go through surgery after surgery, and yet....we are SO blessed.  God has taken such incredible care of us.  He has never, ever failed us.  It took me driving home, shedding a few tears, hugging my husband and claiming over and over how I wish I could be the donor, for me to realize that yes, while this is another surgery for a little boy that has been through more than any child should go through, HE IS HEALTHY!

I thank God from the depths of my soul, that I could say those words.  I have friends with children that have terminal diseases, with children going through their second rounds of chemo, with children in wheelchairs that will never know the joys of running through a field or racing down the street.  I. WILL. NOT. COMPLAIN.  

My heart hurts for my boy.   Yes, it does.  It tears me up that he is going through yet another painful surgery, but he is tough!  He is resilient!  He has a great surgeon that knows what he's doing and truly cares for the children he treats.  

But most importantly, my precious little Kai has a Savior that loves him and that will never forsake him.  A Savior that is indeed the Great Physician.  A Savior who has guided every surgeon's hands that have ever been placed on this little boy, and a Savior who knows what is best for all of us and we could blindly trust.

So, while I may have the toughest job on the face of the earth, I will do it daily.  Gladly.  Joyfully, for no monetary reward.  The smiles and joy in the faces of those precious babes God entrusted me to care for, is worth every single tear and pang of pain in my heart.  My greatest gifts came in the form of six little bundles.  

Isn't he the sweetest?

We covet your prayers for both his ears, and the easiest, less painful and successful bone graft possible. 

This Mama thanks you from the bottom of her heart.

 

Tell Me Again, Mama!

"Tell me again, Mama!"

Those four words are not uncommon around our household.  We've been hearing them for a few years now.

Apparently, there's been much talk lately, as there has been in the past, about the rights and wrongs, of what the story behind our children's life, before they came into our families, is.

I believe each family should find the words that work for them.  Our family has found that the truth is the answer, especially with our Chinese children.  But, it relates to all three.  As a matter of fact, it relates to all six of my precious babes.  

TRUTH.   There is such power in that word.

I've heard people tell their children from China that their Mamas loved them so much, that they were left in a place where they could be found, and that they tried to care for them, but they weren't able to.  That all may be true, but we have no 'real' proof'.  We may believe in our hearts the information we were given, because it seems like the logical explanation when a child is left in a very public place such as a hospital, train station or orphanage steps, but that still isn't enough truth for me.  I wanted proof of their story.  I wanted it to be true, not just what I wished or hoped it was.

So, when in doubt, I do what I always do.  I pray.  I search for God.  I seek His answer.

When we decided to adopt, I knew these were questions we'd someday face.  "Why didn't my Mom keep me?", "Did my Mom love me?", etc.  So, my praying began long before I saw their precious faces.

I skirted around a bit with the above suggestions, but something just didn't feel right.  That proof, that truth wasn't there.  I wanted to be able to look them in the eyes and with all my heart know that what I was telling them was solid, not just the desires of my heart to ease their loss.  

Then, one day while reading God's Word,  He clearly spoke the truth to me.  I had my answer!  A perfect answer.  A truthful answer that could not be unproven or denied because it had come from His infallible Word.

“All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before 

one of them came to be."  ~ Psalms 139:16 

That's where their story began.  It didn't begin the day their birth Mamas realized they were carrying a child in their womb.  It didn't begin the day that they gasped their first breath of air.  It began before time began.  It began before they were even a thought in the minds of any human. It began in the mind of God.  That's how special they are!  They were chosen.  Not chosen by us, but chosen by their Almighty Father and Creator.

The story pretty much goes like this:

Once upon a time, way before time began, God decided he would make a beautiful and perfect baby. A baby He knew would bring Him glory.  But first, He needed a very special lady to bring this baby into the world.  So, He searched and searched for someone special enough that He knew would say, "Yes!  I will bring this baby into the world."  

Then, He planted the seed in that special lady's belly that formed the baby and the baby began to grow.  Oh, how quickly that beautiful baby grew and grew!  Just as God had planned.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made, your works are wonderful.  Psalm 139:13-14

But God, who of course knows everything, knew that this baby would not stay with that special lady, because He had other plans for him.  Plans that were as special as the baby He had chosen.  

He didn't stop at just making the baby. God wasn't done yet.. That was only a small part of His plan.  As that baby grew and grew, God had more planting of seeds to do. This time, He planted seeds in hearts.  Two hearts in particular.  He planted seeds in the hearts of a Mama and Daddy.  He knew that the two people He has chosen loved Him very, very much.  So, one day He whispered into their hearts, "I have a beautiful and perfect baby for you." God smiled because He knew this family would do what He asked, and they really, really wanted this beautiful and perfect baby.  But most importantly, God knew this family would teach this baby about Him and His amazing love.  God also knew that the baby would love Him so much, that even as a small child learning about Him, this child would begin to share Him with the world. The child would speak to others about Him in places most grownups don't go to share Him, like schools and playgrounds. 

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." Jeremiah 1:5 

Time went by and finally, this baby was born into the world.  Because God had already placed in the birth Mama's heart that she wasn't keeping this baby, she followed through with another plan.  She chose for him to be adopted.  Yes, the same way that Jesus adopted us, His children..

The baby was watched over and protected by God until the perfect family He had chosen for him, was able to bring that baby home.  Boy, did it seem to take forever!  Although they were a little impatient, especially the Mama, they knew that sometimes God's timing does seem like forever to arrive.  So, they waited....and they waited,. and they waited, all the while trusting God.

The Mama and Daddy knew time was getting closer.  Every day they woke up wondering if this would be the day.  Then one day, there was a phone call!  The phone call they had waited such a long time for.  Their baby was ready and waiting for them to bring him home!  Oh, that Mama and Daddy cried lots and lots of happy tears, They also thanked God, over and over, for His miracle and His goodness, because they knew that God always keeps His promises.

Not long after, they saw that beautiful baby for the first time ever.   The moment they held him, they knew....it was perfect.  All of it.  God's plan.  The baby.  Their family.  God smiled from Heaven when the family was finally together, because He knew that indeed, it was perfect. (Of course, everything He does is perfect!)

"God saw all that he had made, and it was very good". - Genesis 1:31

At last, they all went home as a family.  The baby joined his brothers and sister and lots and lots of other family members.  He was loved and he loved back with all his heart, because he knew that God loved him so very much, that He made a special plan just for him.  A plan that He makes for all of His children that ask Him into their hearts.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11

The best part of the story is that the baby grew up knowing the truth.  The real truth.  The truth that said that he was so loved by God, that He handpicked him and chose him, out of all the millions and millions of children in the world, to fulfill His purpose, and bring Him glory.  Wow!  Can you imagine what an honor is it to be chosen by God for something like that?!!

This truth filled the entire family with joy, and they all lived happily ever after.

The End.    
©Ohilda Bombardier    


Shortly after sharing their story with the kiddos, I hear those words, "Tell me again, Mama!"   What joy it brings into our  hearts that our children realize, not only that they are treasured and adored, but they know, that they know, that they know,,,,who they belong to, their real Father, Jesus Christ.  While the world may want to add all the messiness about their beginnings, how they were found, where they were found and even trying to guess the 'why' of it all, into the equation, the fact remains that their days were ordained for them, even before time began.!

So friends, that is our story.  No, not just the baby's story, but all of us who are blessed and honored to have been adopted and chosen into the family of God.

If you're not sure if you belong to that family, please don't hesitate to ask me.  I'd love to share i it  with you, and Jesus would love to call YOU His child.   Email me HERE.

 

Wanting to Be Radiantly Radical!

As I sit in a world filled with political correctness, and with people trying to be tolerant and accepting of everyone and everything, I've been thinking about how radical Jesus is and was. Jesus always swam upstream. He never went with the flow. 

Everything surrounding Jesus brought dissension to a world that had never encountered anyone like Him.  He didn't waiver.  He remained firm in the Father.

From birth to death, His life was controversial. He intentionally created it to be that way.

Mary, a young virgin girl, was gossiped about and shunned by many in her village because of the child she was carrying in her womb. Joseph considered leaving his betrothed because of the controversy Mary's pregnancy would bring about.

Jesus was God's answer to humanity's desperate need for salvation.  Yet, even as a babe, delivered in the most humble of ways into a world He owned and created, Kings felt threatened by Him.

One of His most radical teachings, especially during that time period was found in Matthew 5:43, "You have heard that it was said, “Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you..."   The way of life back in the first century was to HATE your enemy, especially if you were religious.  If you despised and killed those that were against God, the sinners, you were righteous.  The most common, and obviously erroneous belief, among the Jews awaiting the Messiah, is that He would come as a warrior, a King that would destroy all the evil of the world.  Jesus debunked that with His "LOVE YOUR ENEMIES" teachings.  When asked, "What is the greatest commandment?", again He had no fear in telling a particular Pharisee that was an expert in the law, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:37-40)   Pretty darn radical, I'd say, especially when they expected to hear something to the effect of slaughter all those that oppose God.

We find many instances where Jesus, in today's world, would be thought of as a trouble maker, or a rebel.  It was scandalous and almost hard to comprehend that a Jew, claiming to be the Son of God, would extend God's Grace and Mercies to Gentiles.  In Acts 15, the Council at Jerusalem argued the fact that if indeed, this was the case, Gentiles would need to be circumcised and follow the law.  It was always about the law with the righteous.  They didn't get it.

Can you imagine the amount frustration that the Apostles might have had?  At this very important meeting, Peter's frustration showed, as he was trying to get them to understand that it was Grace through faith that saved man, not all the laws they kept insisting upon. Peter said, "God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.” (Acts 15:8-11)

So, if they were that frustrated, can you envision Jesus' frustration?  He had traveled the countryside performing miracles, healing the sick, making the lame walk, giving sight to the blind, and yet, the Pharisees and Jews that were threatened by Him, refused to believe who He said He was.  

So, what did Jesus do?  Did he take the PC way and say, "It's okay.  You have your right to your own opinions. We should all just live and let live.  Let's all just get along."  Hec no! He got in their faces and said, "Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me!" (John 8:43-45)  Yeah, He was frustrated! He spoke how I speak to my children sometimes in moment of frustration where I say, "What language do I speak in that you do not understand, "pick up your toys!"  If you're a real Mama, I know you know that level of frustration.  Jesus did, too.  He didn't mince words.  In fact, He went further.  He told them that they 'belong to the devil'.  Yikes!  Strong stuff!

The Jews hated the Samaritans because they were half-breeds. They were thought to be unclean. They'd walk from Jerusalem to Jericho, and up the Jordan valley, for days instead of taking the direct route through Samaria, which was only 70 miles, just so they wouldn't have contact with any Samaritans. Jesus went through Samaria, where he ended up meeting the woman at the well. (John 4)

It doesn't get any plainer, folks.  He had a purpose, and He focused on that purpose, disregarding what others may have thought about Him going through 'unclean' territory. Imagine that.  The Son of God, the King of Kings, walking through 'the hood'!

"While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.  Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly. “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me." - Mark 14:3-7

"LEAVE HER ALONE!", He said.   He wasn't really rollin' with the punches there, was He?

The righteous that were dining with Jesus could only see dollar signs.  The perfume was worth 300 denarii, more than a year's worth of pay.  They again, just didn't 'get it'.  The sacrifice this woman made to honor who she knew was the Son of God, was so much greater at that moment, that it didn't make her think twice.  She gave not because she wanted something in return, but because she knew He was IT.  HE WAS THE ONE!  Jesus knew this and went against what everyone surrounding Him believed, that money should have gone to the poor.  He saw her heart.  They saw a waste of worldly deeds.

These are just very few examples of how Jesus revolutionized the world He came into with his radical teachings.  A couple of others off of the top of my head was the turning of the tables at the temple and the adulterous woman he saved from stoning.  Which, by the way, He wasn't being tolerant of, He made it clear that sin was not okay, when He told her to go and sin no more.

The Old Testament is filled with laws, laws that eventually showed man that they were not, and are not capable of being good and righteous enough, ever, to the extent of what God is and expects. Paul tells us that "we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."  (Romans 3:23)  God knew this, so He sent His Son to stand in the gap.  Jesus is the ONLY way to salvation.  Ever. (John 14:6)Jesus was controversial all the way to the cross. Even after death, they feared Him and there was controversy.

But, Jesus didn't come into the world to candy coat the Father's message.  His words were sharp, radical, and poignant.  Colossans 3:23 tells us that "whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men."

Do I live my life like that?  Do I stop and think, "Am I swimming upstream for Jesus?"  Could I, a mere stay-at-home-Mom, make a difference in a world so fallen that it seems at times that there is no turning back?  Is my love for Jesus showing by living a lukewarm life, or am I carrying Jesus' radical character when it comes to standing for the Father?  Do I remember who I am in God?  He not only desires this of me, but He expects it.

A. W. Tozer said, "What I believe about God, is the most important thing about me."   I believe that with all my  heart.  I want to be a fool for Jesus!  I want to be radical in serving Him!  I want to be a branch overflowing with fruit!  I want to be on fire and passionate for Him, filled with His love and Grace!  I want to always be able to forgive and stand up for what is right, even if I am the only one standing! 

But mostly, I want to be the reason He created me, I want to be like Christ.

How about you?

"Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ." - Galatians 1:10

 

A little, bitty history lesson

The debates are now over and there are less than two weeks until our country comes to terms with probably one of the most life-changing elections, our nation has ever engaged in. 

The speeches have all been heard, the rhetoric has all been voiced, and months of campaigning with millions and millions of dollars having been spent, is approaching the end.  "D-Day".  Decision Day.  November 6, 2012.

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After fighting the Battle of White Marsh, it was a very cold, snowy night on Christmas week, 1777, when General George Washington walked away from his troops, mounted his horse and rode into the woods in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.  It was appearing that the American Revolution was lost and that the greatest army in the world, the British army, was going to snuff away the dream of freedom.  It seemed all efforts had failed and Washington was nearing the end of the journey on that night.

When he arrived at a solitary place, he dismounted his horse, and knelt in the snow praying to God to lead our nation to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  Washington knew that if there was any hope in winning, it would have to come from above. 

He prayed to the God that Elijah prayed to on Mt. Carmel. 

He prayed to the God that Moses prayed to when Israel was fighting it's enemies. 

He prayed to the God that Jesus prayed to in the garden of Gethsemane. 

He prayed to the God that, as Christians, we should all fall to our knees and pray to daily.

This prayer was witnessed by a man named Isaac Potts, the homeowner of the house George Washington had rented when he and his troops arrived at Valley Forge on December 19, 1777 and substantiated by Henry Woodman in his "History of Valley Forge," 1850, who said, "I have heard it said, that Washington used often to retire to solitary places, and on one of these occasions he was discovered by Isaac Potts engaged in vocal prayer, while in the woods."

General George Washington, a man of character, prayed until he heard from heaven.  Then, he returned to his officers and said, "Victory or death!"

Rev. Nathaniel Randolph Snowden, an ordained Presbyterian minister, left a diary behind which probably is the most, if not the only proof of General George Washington's prayer at Valley Forge.  This was Mr. Snowden's entry, found in his own handwriting, pertaining to said prayer:

"I knew personally the celebrated Quaker Potts who saw Gen'l Washington alone in the woods at prayer. I got it from himself, myself. Weems mentioned it in his history of Washington, but I got it from the man myself, as follows:
"I was riding with him (Mr. Potts) in Montgomery County, Penn'a near to the Valley Forge, where the army lay during the war of ye Revolution. Mr. Potts was a Senator in our State & a Whig. I told him I was agreeably surprised to find him a friend to his country as the Quakers were mostly Tories. He said, 'It was so and I was a rank Tory once, for I never believed that America c'd proceed against Great Britain whose fleets and armies covered the land and ocean, but something very extraordinary converted me to the Good Faith!" "What was that," I inquired? 'Do you see that woods, & that plain. It was about a quarter of a mile off from the place we were riding, as it happened.' 'There,' said he, 'laid the army of Washington. It was a most distressing time of ye war, and all were for giving up the Ship but that great and good man. In that woods pointing to a close in view, I heard a plaintive sound as, of a man at prayer. I tied my horse to a sapling & went quietly into the woods & to my astonishment I saw the great George Washington on his knees alone, with his sword on one side and his cocked hat on the other. He was at Prayer to the God of the Armies, beseeching to interpose with his Divine aid, as it was ye Crisis, & the cause of the country, of humanity & of the world.

'Such a prayer I never heard from the lips of man. I left him alone praying.

'I went home & told my wife. I saw a sight and heard today what I never saw or heard before, and just related to her what I had seen & heard & observed. We never thought a man c'd be a soldier & a Christian, but if there is one in the world, it is Washington. She also was astonished. We thought it was the cause of God, & America could prevail.'

George Washington, his officers and troops plowed through the bitter cold snow that night.  Many without shoes, wearing blood soaked bandages with the aching feeling of hunger, twisting in their guts.  They crossed the Delaware River and attacked the enemy.  They won in a matter of minutes, because it was a total surprise.  Victory was theirs! That victory was born not when they defeated the enemy, but it was born the minute that General Washington got off his horse and prayed in the woods on that cold December night, when all else had failed.

You see, friends, General Washington did not seek to appease the enemy, he seeked higher power. 

America right now is appeasing Iran, China, Egypt, and Russia ~ all at Israel's expense.  This needs to end.  We need to start by seeking higher power, by getting right with God and by supporting Israel.  Our current president and his administration are tiptoeing around because they do not have the courage to stand and speak up for Israel.  Jerusalem was, is and always will be the capital city of Israel!  Israel is God's chosen, Holy land. 

"For he said, "Anyone who harms you harms my most precious possession." -  Zechariah 2:8

Again, I repeat, we are less than two weeks away from election day.

Right now, America needs to fall on their knees and hear from Heaven, not from Washington, D.C.  Our nation needs healing!   We need healing from greed.  We need healing from anarchy.  We need healing from immorality.  We need healing from racial and class warfare. We need healing from selfishness. We need to be united again and stand as the nation that our forefathers prayed we'd be, The United States of America!

We are, "One Nation Under God!" and we need to return to that.  We need to do what our forefathers did when they encountered a crisis.  They prayed!  They prayed!  They prayed!

PRAYER IS THE ANSWER!


We, His people, are called to repent, pray, and ask for our nation to be healed, so that God will hear us!  Church of Christ, rise up and awaken!

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." - 2 Chronicles 7:14

The bible says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." - Phillipians 4:6

Do you feel defeated?   PRAY!

Do you feel surrounded by the adversary?  PRAY!

Is your marriage under fire?  PRAY!

Is your family under attack?  PRAY!

Are you financially in crisis?  PRAY!

You can't find a job?  PRAY!

Is your health or a family member's health failing?  PRAY!

Are your children wayward?  PRAY!


PRAYER IS THE ANSWER!


As powerful as God is, He will not answer until you pray, and when you do, rest assured, God will hear and He will answer!  As Christians, we are called to pray for each other.  If you have a particular prayer request that you would like me to pray for, please feel free to leave it in the comments section, or EMAIL me privately.  It would be my honor to pray for you.

These next two weeks, we must unite as Christians.  Let's humble ourselves, repent for our sins, seek Him, and ask the Almighty to heal our nation.

Blessings,