Who would have ever known the significance of this scene at Holland Chapel Baptist Church performed at the Hereafter House; a Christian outreach where many families, students and individuals attend during the week of Halloween.
The scene: Heaven
Music: “Alive” by Natalie Grant plays as Jesus meets His children at Heaven’s gates.
Mother(played by my daughter-in-law, Crystal): Enters stage right and throws herself at the feet of Jesus in worship, then slowly rises.
Jesus: His words are actions of love as He reunites this mother with her baby; a delivery from His arms to hers.
As we saw it… a picture of Briley Faith once again in her mommy’s arms.
After this scene ends, my son, Josh, tells of God’s grace and love, gives the salvation plan and closes with prayer.
I always knew with every glance into Briley FAITH’s eyes, with every expression on her face there was such a great love… and that peace that lets you know everything is going to be alright. But, I would have never known a year later, after we knew she would be returning to our Heavenly Father, what a sacrifice this child of God, our gift, my granddaughter, the little missionary had made. She knew… I know she knew; still, those “angel eyes” tell it all. Her story continues, but, we don’t get to turn the page until it’s time.
It was time to turn another page on the evening of October 29, 2013. Josh and Crystal were approached by a friend wanting to know if they were interested in adopting a child about to be born that needed a mommy and daddy. There had been no preparation, no adoption processes started, nothing, except talk that they would like to adopt one day. So, this was definitely unexpected! The caseworker needed an answer by 8 a.m. the next morning…
The scene: Home
God is already there because He knew, as many times before, they would be seeking Him.
Josh and Crystal: Their words are prayers, hearts connecting to God’s plan. Faith exercised once again. Looking for that peace that passes all understanding they were so familiar with during those 61 days with their baby girl, Briley FAITH.
Night/curtain falls: It is late, they are not looking to rest but, looking to God for the answer to the unexpected… His expected.
By mid-afternoon the next day we are informed God has given us Reid, another beautiful grandson! Joy has come! A happy unexpected!
Then, I got to thinking… Wow, Briley FAITH! Again, you show Jesus Christ in a way I don’t think I ever could. Oh how I wish I could… If you were here with us today, would Reid have a home? Or at least a home with a mommy, daddy, big brother and family you knew would love him to the uttermost? Would this opportunity have presented itself? Would we have this treasure in the form of a precious little boy? I don’t know that answer. But, what a visual you have given me as a reminder of God’s FAITHfulness. His promises are revealed through you again and again… Sacrifice. Did you go so he could stay?
The scene: God the Father hands over His only begotten son.
Fast forward: The crucifixion.
Soldiers of the Governor: Place a crown of thorns on Jesus’ head, spit upon him, mock him and lead him away to be crucified.
No beautiful music is playing. The only sounds are coming from the crowd.
Angry mob: “Kill him!” "Crucify him!”
Jesus Christ: Now hanging, nailed to an old rugged cross. Words of love… “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”
Faintly, you can hear a mother’s cry for her son.
Why did this happen? For you and for me, the great sacrifice. We are all sinners, filthy, dark, and wicked with a need; a need for a Savior to rescue us from the fiery pits of hell. Not only did Jesus Christ take on our sin at the cross, He also conquered death and rose again! What victory we have! Oh what a Savior!
You see, God knew our need then and He knows our needs now. Nothing surprises Him; there are no “unexpecteds”. If we follow His plan, He always delivers… right on time.
Jesus Christ had no earthly reason for loving me, a sinner. Though undeserving and unexpected I received His gift of eternal life; hope for today until heaven is my tomorrow.
What does your tomorrow look like? Will you be entering heavens gates, throwing yourself at the feet of Jesus in worship and rise to meet with loved ones who have gone on before? You, too, can receive this gift of life through adoption into the family of God.
Does He want to hand you an “unexpected”, but instead, fear has replaced your faith, not allowing the delivery of a blessing? Seek Him, pray, search His heart; He is faithful to deliver.
All you have to do is rise and receive; He is alive so you can live again! Don’t miss out on a happy unexpected!
Heavenly Father,
My praises are not enough to reflect my heart, my words do not come close to the gratefulness I have... please receive this as my expression of Your greatness and my weakness. I am not alive unless You live within me! Live, Father, live!
Thank You again for giving us our granddaughter, Briley FAITH as she continues to tell Your story with such magnificence in unexpected ways.
Thank you for our grandson, Jude for the unexpected reminders to come to You as a child.
Thank You for giving us our grandson, Reid; our happy unexpected.
With all my heart I rise and receive Your plan in expectation of great things!
In Jesus name, amen.
Ephesians 1:3-10
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us FOR ADOPTION as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
No comments:
Post a Comment