In the book of Revelation it speaks about how the Bride, the church, will be prepared to be received by her groom, Jesus. As we know, when it comes to weddings, most of it centers around the Bride. What colors will she choose, the style dress she will wear, where is she registered, is she a bundle of nerves, is she still sweet and loving or has she become Bridezilla.
When it comes to preparing us for eternity in Heaven with Jesus, those issues carry no importance whatsoever. He will not care if we provided the wedding of the century, served champagne and caviar, or how many attended. All that will matter is if we knew our future groom and if He knew us. This is the story of how my mom died. How God prepared her for her acceptance and entry into Paradise. But let me backtrack a little.
Anyone who know me can attest to the fact that mom and I did not have a cozy mother/daughter relationship. I spent the last ten years feeling resentment toward her for always needing my help. I had made the selfish decision that since I now had my own family, all my time and energy should be spent on them. I wanted nothing outside my idyllic bubble to inconvenience me. So, as soon as I would recognize her number on caller ID, I would set my tone accordingly: Oh no, not mom again. Talk about the very definition of a brat.
The last two months of my mom's life were not very good. It began when she fell out of bed and hurt her leg. When she called I sent my husband, since he was more compassionate towards my mom, over to check her out. I had just literally started a new job, so really could not take time off. Remember: I am an only child. He decided that mom needed to be taken to the emergency room to have her right leg looked at since he felt it might be broken. A few hours later, they determined it was only badly bruised and sent her home.
Over the next few days it got worse, until she could no longer put weight on it. She wanted a wheel chair, to which I responded: And you could maneuver that around your apartment.......how? Nice attitude, I know. Once again I sent my husband. He took her to a completely different ER, and they decided she had a hematoma that formed in her lower leg, and it was infected. Yes, I know feel like a heal for not checking in more often that week and believing it was getting worse.
She was admitted to the hospital and put on a course of antibiotics. There was worry because of her diabetes. She was not responding to the meds, so surgery was needed. I realized at this point we had a long road ahead of us, and when my new employer was anything but sympathetic, I quit. Mom came through surgery fine, and she was transferred to a nursing home for respite care til she could come home. However, her trigeminal neuropathy that afflicted her for the past 10 years went crazy. She could not handle anything touching her face or inside of her mouth. Not real helpful for a diabetic who needs to eat, take high blood pressure meds, and follow-up antibiotics post surgery. After about two and a half days of this the resident physician and I decided mom needing a feeding tube temporarily until the neuropathy calmed down and she could eat normally again. So it is back to the hospital.
This brings us to the final two weeks of mom's life. She was transported back on a Tuesday and set for surgery on Wednesday, however, the attending took it upon himself to refer her to a neurologist who thought he was God and would cure mom. Never mind that we had already seen many and had numerous tests done. He cancelled the surgery and put her on drugs. Here would be the issue, they were oral drugs, and remember she could not handle anything in her mouth. I was livid. I complained and he told me: people can live indefinitely on IV fluids, to which I replied, yes, and that will help her leg heal.....How? Meanwhile, she is getting weaker.
My husband was livid and took matter into his own hands and had the neurologist thrown off her case. We had the surgery for the feeding tube rescheduled. We are now in the last week of her life, except we did not know it.
That Monday while I was visiting her she aspirated a mucous plug. They called a Code Red, never good and in minutes about a dozen nurses and doctors were in her room. The ICU doctors took me aside and explained that because her inactivity the odds of a recurrence were strong and what were my wishes. Yes, that's right, here it comes, the big decision. They told me she had double pneumonia and needed antibiotics. The also asked about life support, to which I said NO. Mom had suffered so much in the past 10 years with her neuropathy, that I decided if it was God's will no doctor should take that away. She had surgery the next day to put in the feeding tube, was put on oxygen to aide in breathing and four different antibiotics to try to combat the pneumonia.
After surgery she never really gained her consciousness. Her body was not responding to the antibiotics at all. I called my mom's sister and asked her advice, because I didn't want to make it alone. We decided to stop treatment and institute comfort care only. I asked the doctors for the honest truth, and they told me it was the best it was ever gonna get.
Monday morning, November 15, I got a call from the hospital to come. They told me her blood pressure had dropped dangerously low and that it would not be long. I raced to the hospital and arrived around 8:30 a.m. I told her I was there, prayed with her and gave her permission to leave, to go be with Jesus. I read scripture to her and sang all her favorite and my favorite praise and worship and christian music. It was as much for me as it was for her.
At 9:15 a.m. the sunlight came through her window to shine at her feet. Over the next two hours it slowly moved up her body. I believe this was God. He was getting my mom ready to walk down the aisle and join with Him. He was transforming her earthly body to make it ready and acceptable. I was reading 1 John 3 which begins: See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! Then I started singing "Amazing Grace: My Chains are Gone". At the last chorus I got choked up, but kept my eyes closed and kept singing. When I finished the song, the sunlight left my mom's face, traveled to her pillow, she stopped breathing, and entered into God's glory.
I feel so blessed and honored I had those two weeks with mom. I am so grateful to God for giving me those last two hours with her. It was so beautiful to watch her no longer suffer, to be at peace, and go where she longed to be, in Heaven.
It is never to late to say you are sorry. It is never to late to ask God to soften your heart. Nothing is impossible for Him. He is bigger than everything. He is mightier than anything. He is more gracious and loving than anyone. He can melt your heart of stone, heal you, comfort you, and lead you. He will use you if you let Him. He will and can prepare you for something bigger than yourself.
I know I will see mom again one day!
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
What Drives You
It's been an interesting week, and it's only just started. So many things have come across my computer, my syllabus for school, on the radio, through my bible study, and my personal reading time. It gets very tough in day to day life to prioritize what is truly important with what we really want to do or accomplish.
On my Facebook page I subscribe to several different Christian sites. I figure, while I am looking at everyone elses news and status updates, it is good to have a reminder of what God wants me to know. So I will read a particular Bible verse, maybe make a comment and of couse hit the perverbial "like" button. I would like to say I always read and reflect on what comes on to my news feed, but many times I only take a glimpse at the words, decide if I have read them or heard them before, but only comment and remember the ones I really like. You know which ones I am talking about. Those verses that are encouraging, not necessarily convicting. Those that comfort us, not make us feel uncomfortable or would cause us to do work. It is the same with the email I get everyday from Max Lucado with a scripture verse and then his words of wisdom about what God is trying to relay through it. I really enjoy those because I often feel as if Max has a direct line of communication with God and understands what needs to be said.
But don't we all have the ability to strengthen our line of communication with God? Don't most people own at least one Bible or have a computer through which they can "google" BIBLE during the day and read a passage? We can all pray, you know we can. Many seem to reach out to God in those times of desparation or anger looking for answers, and then get upset or disillusioned when the answer doesn't come on their timeline or result in the way they envisioned. If we have not kept the line of commuication open on a daily basis, spent time in The Word, and reflected on what God wants for us and says to us, we cannot hope to hear His voice in times of trouble. A burning bush does not always ignite in our flowerbeds or backyards.
Let's move on to my school syllabus. Mind you, I have no college theology classes or Bible study classes during this session. I have a special education course and American Literature class. I am gonna focus on the American Lit. class here. We have looked at, read, and picked apart Native American prose and poetry, the early explorers and settlers, and now this week Franklin, Adams, Paine, and Jefferson.
Native American literature was interesting. Much of their history, myths, and poetry focus on what Mother Earth and nature have given them, the importance of familial loyalty, and the power of the Great Spirit. Their lives were simple, they worked hard, but always remembered what was important. The early explorers and settlers talked about their voyages, claiming land for England and Spain, the hardships of frontier life, experience with the Native Americans, and their faith in Christ. But they used this faith in Christ to justify the brutality they showed to the Native people when they tried to take their land, civilize them, and aggressively force Christianity on them. They called them "savages" because their ways were so primitive and their language so different.
Now I am reading the works of Franklin, Paine, Adams, and Jefferson; not necessarily in that order. Also not on my top ten list to reread, but gives some great insight into the early life of our country. Although these men called themselves Christians, they make no mention of Christ in their writing. See, they were influenced by the Enlightenment. Rene Descartes famous line: "I think, therefore I am" influenced and drove the Naturalist's movement. Science to explain away the what, why, and how of everything. To explain away the evidence of a divine Creator. That to more educated you are, the more intelligent, the more reason you have, so the ultimate in answers you will receive or research upon.
My question is: Does everything in life have to have a definative answer? Do we always need scientific proof of what and why and how something came to be? For me, these answers only drive my faith in God deeper and stronger. It causes awe and amazement at the wonder of how he created everything from nothing. Want to deepen your faith in God? Read any of Lee Strobel's books entitled: The Case for a Creator, The Case for Christ, The Case for Faith. Here is a man who way a proclaimed atheist, a renown journalist, who through his research and study came to faith in God and Christ by what he found. The same holds true for "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis. Talk about books that will put you in awe and guide your focus to Him.
In my Bible study this week we are reading from the first and second chapter of Ezekial. We are working through a study done by Anne Graham Lotz. She has a great way of breaking down scripture passages one verse at a time. You look at the facts, decipher the lesson, what is God saying directly to you, and how you will apply it to your life. Prior to this study I would have read these first two chapters, been quite confused by all the imagery and moved on to when Ezekial started his ministry. But these verses cause you to look at the awesomeness of God and the extent He will go to in order to reach our hearts and minds. He will turn your life upside down if need be to get your attention. He took the greatest extemes to capture our hearts through The Cross, and many times the trials which we experience are the wake-up call to slow down and turn our eyes back to Him.
One of the ways I have talked about in other blogs that God uses to speak to me is through music. He knows he has my undivided attention. This morning I was listening to the inspiration behind the evangelical voice and lyrics of the late Rich Mullins. Talk about a man whose focus was on God. His is so much more than the singer of "Awesome God". He speaks to the simplicity of life, and where your focus should be: On God. One song, "My One Thing" talks about how we always say we need one thing, but that eventually lead to one more thing. He petitions God to save him from this need, because one day when the world passes away, and we can't take it with us, all we truly have is God. I really like this line "Please take them away and purify my heart, I don't want to lose the eternal for The things that are passing". That pretty much sums it all up right there. If we are truly focused on God, this should be the cry of our heart.
So the next time you ponder the events of your day or thoughts that cross your mind ask yourself this question: What drives me? To answer it honestly, make a list of what is important in your life. Don't think to hard, just start writing, and then look at the order in which you listed everything. Or think about what crosses your mind ever time you daydream. The answers might surprise you.
On my Facebook page I subscribe to several different Christian sites. I figure, while I am looking at everyone elses news and status updates, it is good to have a reminder of what God wants me to know. So I will read a particular Bible verse, maybe make a comment and of couse hit the perverbial "like" button. I would like to say I always read and reflect on what comes on to my news feed, but many times I only take a glimpse at the words, decide if I have read them or heard them before, but only comment and remember the ones I really like. You know which ones I am talking about. Those verses that are encouraging, not necessarily convicting. Those that comfort us, not make us feel uncomfortable or would cause us to do work. It is the same with the email I get everyday from Max Lucado with a scripture verse and then his words of wisdom about what God is trying to relay through it. I really enjoy those because I often feel as if Max has a direct line of communication with God and understands what needs to be said.
But don't we all have the ability to strengthen our line of communication with God? Don't most people own at least one Bible or have a computer through which they can "google" BIBLE during the day and read a passage? We can all pray, you know we can. Many seem to reach out to God in those times of desparation or anger looking for answers, and then get upset or disillusioned when the answer doesn't come on their timeline or result in the way they envisioned. If we have not kept the line of commuication open on a daily basis, spent time in The Word, and reflected on what God wants for us and says to us, we cannot hope to hear His voice in times of trouble. A burning bush does not always ignite in our flowerbeds or backyards.
Let's move on to my school syllabus. Mind you, I have no college theology classes or Bible study classes during this session. I have a special education course and American Literature class. I am gonna focus on the American Lit. class here. We have looked at, read, and picked apart Native American prose and poetry, the early explorers and settlers, and now this week Franklin, Adams, Paine, and Jefferson.
Native American literature was interesting. Much of their history, myths, and poetry focus on what Mother Earth and nature have given them, the importance of familial loyalty, and the power of the Great Spirit. Their lives were simple, they worked hard, but always remembered what was important. The early explorers and settlers talked about their voyages, claiming land for England and Spain, the hardships of frontier life, experience with the Native Americans, and their faith in Christ. But they used this faith in Christ to justify the brutality they showed to the Native people when they tried to take their land, civilize them, and aggressively force Christianity on them. They called them "savages" because their ways were so primitive and their language so different.
Now I am reading the works of Franklin, Paine, Adams, and Jefferson; not necessarily in that order. Also not on my top ten list to reread, but gives some great insight into the early life of our country. Although these men called themselves Christians, they make no mention of Christ in their writing. See, they were influenced by the Enlightenment. Rene Descartes famous line: "I think, therefore I am" influenced and drove the Naturalist's movement. Science to explain away the what, why, and how of everything. To explain away the evidence of a divine Creator. That to more educated you are, the more intelligent, the more reason you have, so the ultimate in answers you will receive or research upon.
My question is: Does everything in life have to have a definative answer? Do we always need scientific proof of what and why and how something came to be? For me, these answers only drive my faith in God deeper and stronger. It causes awe and amazement at the wonder of how he created everything from nothing. Want to deepen your faith in God? Read any of Lee Strobel's books entitled: The Case for a Creator, The Case for Christ, The Case for Faith. Here is a man who way a proclaimed atheist, a renown journalist, who through his research and study came to faith in God and Christ by what he found. The same holds true for "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis. Talk about books that will put you in awe and guide your focus to Him.
In my Bible study this week we are reading from the first and second chapter of Ezekial. We are working through a study done by Anne Graham Lotz. She has a great way of breaking down scripture passages one verse at a time. You look at the facts, decipher the lesson, what is God saying directly to you, and how you will apply it to your life. Prior to this study I would have read these first two chapters, been quite confused by all the imagery and moved on to when Ezekial started his ministry. But these verses cause you to look at the awesomeness of God and the extent He will go to in order to reach our hearts and minds. He will turn your life upside down if need be to get your attention. He took the greatest extemes to capture our hearts through The Cross, and many times the trials which we experience are the wake-up call to slow down and turn our eyes back to Him.
One of the ways I have talked about in other blogs that God uses to speak to me is through music. He knows he has my undivided attention. This morning I was listening to the inspiration behind the evangelical voice and lyrics of the late Rich Mullins. Talk about a man whose focus was on God. His is so much more than the singer of "Awesome God". He speaks to the simplicity of life, and where your focus should be: On God. One song, "My One Thing" talks about how we always say we need one thing, but that eventually lead to one more thing. He petitions God to save him from this need, because one day when the world passes away, and we can't take it with us, all we truly have is God. I really like this line "Please take them away and purify my heart, I don't want to lose the eternal for The things that are passing". That pretty much sums it all up right there. If we are truly focused on God, this should be the cry of our heart.
So the next time you ponder the events of your day or thoughts that cross your mind ask yourself this question: What drives me? To answer it honestly, make a list of what is important in your life. Don't think to hard, just start writing, and then look at the order in which you listed everything. Or think about what crosses your mind ever time you daydream. The answers might surprise you.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Wake-Up
We've all overslept at one time or another, it's just a fact of life. Maybe we forgot to set or check the alarm. We hit snooze just one more time telling ourselves: "just five more minutes." We accidentally turned off the alarm instead of hitting snooze. Maybe we just said: "I'm only gonna close my eyes for fifteen minutes, and that turned out to really be one hour. We can come up with many excuses, some legitmate and some lame.
Wake-up calls can be literal or figurative. They can be an alarm clock, the courtesy call from the front desk at the hotel, someone gently shaking our shoulder, or someone yelling in our ear. They can also be a diagnosis for a disease, the family member who is in trouble, a news story, bad grade on a test, a call from a friend, that song on the radio. That still small voice in our heart or mind. They can be anything or anyone.
I have had many wake-up calls in my life. The literal oversleeping or hitting snooze too many times. People, experiences, scriptures and songs. I have wrote about some of them in prior blogs. Sometimes I was fooling myself into destructive thinking, blocking out something that comes back to haunt, trying to fool God (as if that would work) or just plain denial. We can all think of something.
My favorite one came recently. I am a control freak. I am a fixer. I want it how I want it when I want it. I want it in my time. Sometimes I can control a situation and sometimes I can't. Sometimes I can come to a conclusion and sometimes it is out of my reach. Sometimes when I pray I order God around and then get upset when it doesn't happen.
So many times we want our family and friends to be like us. If they would just do it my way, life would be so much easier. If you really think about, you know it's true. Sometimes it is subtle and sometimes we can be downright blatent. We can be arrogant thinking our way is the best way. We can be that way in our human lives and with God. Or my ultimate favorite I have tried: I'll just help God along. Let me tell you something I need to remind myself of. God does NOT need our help!
I have something I have been praying for for a long time. It is for a loved one to allow Jesus into their hearts and lives. It can be so utterly difficult to watch someone you love make the same mistakes over and over again. To see them walk down the same path, make the same harmful decisions, and continue to fill their lives with things. The Bible tells us that people and things will wither away and die and that the only lasting thing is Jesus. But when that friend who is all wrong for you encourages you to do something once, and it feels right that time so you do it again and again, and now you have this circle of friends who are all doing it and not getting in trouble so it must be OK, at some point you will get hurt. It might not be today or tomorrow, but some time in the future it will happen. People are fallable. People will turn on you, leave you, betray.
Maybe it is that thing you have always wanted, a new pair of shoes, the latest fashion, that new status car or job promotion. Shoes, clothes, and cars all wear out or change with the next season. Jobs can become more demanding of your time. You keep filling your cup with things that will run out, need to be replaced or added to to make you happy. They don't fill your cup, you have to actively keep adding them and replacing them. They keep you satisfied for a time til the next thing catches your fancy.
Only with God will any of us be complete. He constantly keeps filling our cup, to overflowing. He offers us grace, freely, and without reservation. He unbiddingly give us abundant gifts. He prepares a place for us. It is written all over Sacred Scripture. If we ask and commit our lives to Him, He will provide.
So, when I see a loved one making those mistakes and try to fix them myself, I set myself up for disappointment and failure. I can't fix that person. If I try alone it is all in vain. They are their own person with their own mind. It doesn't matter how old they are, they are still gonna make their choices; good or bad. All I can do is pray, place it in God's hands, and then not be an Indian giver and take it back. This is not easy for women. Whether we are mothers, wives, sisters, cousins, or friends the instinct to protect comes out.
A very dear friend, who is a believer, told me this. It is not a triangle between me, the person and God. It can only be me and God; that person and God. I can pray and place that person in God's care, but I cannot make them love God or accept Him. It is a personal decision.
My humanness will cause frustration and worry. That in turn will cause sleepless nights and anxiety and harm my health. Matthew 11: 28-30 says: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” It is right there in black and white to read. It is a promise from God.
God has a plan. He says that in my life verse Jeremiah 29:11. He knows it, he made it. He will not let anything go to waste. He is a gentlman and will not force himself on someone. They have to come to Him. He keeps the door open. He is ready and willing.
This person I am praying for, I will continue to do so for. I can't give up, I love them too much. They may have to hit rock bottom in whatever form that comes. I can only love them and pray. I have to be watchful for the little glimmers here and there. I have to encourage when I see those moments. I don't have to turn a blind eye to the mistakes, but I need to be loving and gentle when I admonish. Not an easy task. I have to let the Light of Christ shine through me. I will probably not be the person that brings them to Christ because we are two very different people; but I can help along the way. I received my wake-up call and I have to let them receive theirs.
Wake-up calls can be literal or figurative. They can be an alarm clock, the courtesy call from the front desk at the hotel, someone gently shaking our shoulder, or someone yelling in our ear. They can also be a diagnosis for a disease, the family member who is in trouble, a news story, bad grade on a test, a call from a friend, that song on the radio. That still small voice in our heart or mind. They can be anything or anyone.
I have had many wake-up calls in my life. The literal oversleeping or hitting snooze too many times. People, experiences, scriptures and songs. I have wrote about some of them in prior blogs. Sometimes I was fooling myself into destructive thinking, blocking out something that comes back to haunt, trying to fool God (as if that would work) or just plain denial. We can all think of something.
My favorite one came recently. I am a control freak. I am a fixer. I want it how I want it when I want it. I want it in my time. Sometimes I can control a situation and sometimes I can't. Sometimes I can come to a conclusion and sometimes it is out of my reach. Sometimes when I pray I order God around and then get upset when it doesn't happen.
So many times we want our family and friends to be like us. If they would just do it my way, life would be so much easier. If you really think about, you know it's true. Sometimes it is subtle and sometimes we can be downright blatent. We can be arrogant thinking our way is the best way. We can be that way in our human lives and with God. Or my ultimate favorite I have tried: I'll just help God along. Let me tell you something I need to remind myself of. God does NOT need our help!
I have something I have been praying for for a long time. It is for a loved one to allow Jesus into their hearts and lives. It can be so utterly difficult to watch someone you love make the same mistakes over and over again. To see them walk down the same path, make the same harmful decisions, and continue to fill their lives with things. The Bible tells us that people and things will wither away and die and that the only lasting thing is Jesus. But when that friend who is all wrong for you encourages you to do something once, and it feels right that time so you do it again and again, and now you have this circle of friends who are all doing it and not getting in trouble so it must be OK, at some point you will get hurt. It might not be today or tomorrow, but some time in the future it will happen. People are fallable. People will turn on you, leave you, betray.
Maybe it is that thing you have always wanted, a new pair of shoes, the latest fashion, that new status car or job promotion. Shoes, clothes, and cars all wear out or change with the next season. Jobs can become more demanding of your time. You keep filling your cup with things that will run out, need to be replaced or added to to make you happy. They don't fill your cup, you have to actively keep adding them and replacing them. They keep you satisfied for a time til the next thing catches your fancy.
Only with God will any of us be complete. He constantly keeps filling our cup, to overflowing. He offers us grace, freely, and without reservation. He unbiddingly give us abundant gifts. He prepares a place for us. It is written all over Sacred Scripture. If we ask and commit our lives to Him, He will provide.
So, when I see a loved one making those mistakes and try to fix them myself, I set myself up for disappointment and failure. I can't fix that person. If I try alone it is all in vain. They are their own person with their own mind. It doesn't matter how old they are, they are still gonna make their choices; good or bad. All I can do is pray, place it in God's hands, and then not be an Indian giver and take it back. This is not easy for women. Whether we are mothers, wives, sisters, cousins, or friends the instinct to protect comes out.
A very dear friend, who is a believer, told me this. It is not a triangle between me, the person and God. It can only be me and God; that person and God. I can pray and place that person in God's care, but I cannot make them love God or accept Him. It is a personal decision.
My humanness will cause frustration and worry. That in turn will cause sleepless nights and anxiety and harm my health. Matthew 11: 28-30 says: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” It is right there in black and white to read. It is a promise from God.
God has a plan. He says that in my life verse Jeremiah 29:11. He knows it, he made it. He will not let anything go to waste. He is a gentlman and will not force himself on someone. They have to come to Him. He keeps the door open. He is ready and willing.
This person I am praying for, I will continue to do so for. I can't give up, I love them too much. They may have to hit rock bottom in whatever form that comes. I can only love them and pray. I have to be watchful for the little glimmers here and there. I have to encourage when I see those moments. I don't have to turn a blind eye to the mistakes, but I need to be loving and gentle when I admonish. Not an easy task. I have to let the Light of Christ shine through me. I will probably not be the person that brings them to Christ because we are two very different people; but I can help along the way. I received my wake-up call and I have to let them receive theirs.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
His Hand Was Always There
After 3 years of impatiently waiting, I was finally pregnant again. I say impatiently because getting pregnant the first time was so easy. All Marc and I had to do that think about it and it happened. But the second time was frustrating. Every month, another disappointment when the test read negative. Unexplained secondary infertility is what they called it. There was no good reason for it. All the medical tests said it was possible, but my body was thinking differently. Oh, and let me add, I kept asking God: Why not this month? I never said: In your time!
I made the appointment with the infertility specialist. Do you know what kind of wait list there was? Seems like just about every woman in Northeastern Ohio wanted in too. The appointment was set for two and a half months out.
During that wait period I started looking into adoption. I looked at domestic and foreign. Because we already had one child the wait period for domestic was much longer unless there was a birth mother who was specifically looking for a family with children. With foreign, it depends on what country you want as to how long you wait. Not to mention the price involved.
Infertility can cause such a strain on a marriage as well. Everything is based on a calendar with small windows of opportunity. The whole beauty of what your love for each other can create becomes mechanical. You start to take on the "it's now or never" attitude every month. And then after a while after the test keeps coming back negative, you both become discouraged and disappointed. Talk about too much thinking.
Instead of becoming closer together you can lean further apart. Communication can break down. That is what happened. Everyone knows that great communication is key to a loving, successful marriage, but when it becomes strained or stops it can cause quite a chasm.
One Sunday at church a couple came in and spoke about the Catholic Marriage Encounter Weekend. My heart started pounding. I could feel it deep in my heart that that is where God was leading us. "Come to me all you who are weary and heavily laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and loving, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" Matthew 11:28-29. God was calling. I went home from church, picked up the phone and made the reservation.
The weekend was great. Marc and I reconnected. We put the rest of our life on hold. We trusted that our three year old daughter would be fine at grandma's house and made a promise to only check in once on Saturday. It was not easy, but we kept our promise. This weekend was about us: our relationship with each other and our relationship with God.
It was on this weekend that my guilt about my abortion came out. I was still blaming myself, refusing to forgive myself, even though God had already forgiven me. In my mind I had this thought process going that maybe I was only supposed to have two children, and I blew my chance. Marc was gentle and understanding. We became better communicators. We also learned to actively listen to one another, not try to fix it, but just listen. Nine months later our very handsome son was born.
What a scary birth it was. First of all the little stinker was two weeks late to the day. Then, even though I was induced, he was just too comfortable in my belly. When he finally did make his appearance, it was fast. He practically flew out. However, he was blue.
The cord was wrapped around his neck two times. His apgar's were 0 and 2. He would be rushed down to NICU without me being able to even hold him first. Then my complications would begin. I started hemorrhaging. After no pain drugs and a natural birth I was rushed into surgery. They stopped the bleeding, but also had to give me two pints of blood. Meanwhile, they left my husband, the new father, in the labor/delivery room alone.
But my son's birth was a miracle. The reason he did not drop prior to flying out was because had he, he probably would have been born dead. Then we found out that his umbilical cord was eight inches longer than normal.
You see, God's hand was always there. From the timing of my pregnancy, to the timing of my son's birth. If anything had been different, so would have the outcome.
I made the appointment with the infertility specialist. Do you know what kind of wait list there was? Seems like just about every woman in Northeastern Ohio wanted in too. The appointment was set for two and a half months out.
During that wait period I started looking into adoption. I looked at domestic and foreign. Because we already had one child the wait period for domestic was much longer unless there was a birth mother who was specifically looking for a family with children. With foreign, it depends on what country you want as to how long you wait. Not to mention the price involved.
Infertility can cause such a strain on a marriage as well. Everything is based on a calendar with small windows of opportunity. The whole beauty of what your love for each other can create becomes mechanical. You start to take on the "it's now or never" attitude every month. And then after a while after the test keeps coming back negative, you both become discouraged and disappointed. Talk about too much thinking.
Instead of becoming closer together you can lean further apart. Communication can break down. That is what happened. Everyone knows that great communication is key to a loving, successful marriage, but when it becomes strained or stops it can cause quite a chasm.
One Sunday at church a couple came in and spoke about the Catholic Marriage Encounter Weekend. My heart started pounding. I could feel it deep in my heart that that is where God was leading us. "Come to me all you who are weary and heavily laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and loving, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" Matthew 11:28-29. God was calling. I went home from church, picked up the phone and made the reservation.
The weekend was great. Marc and I reconnected. We put the rest of our life on hold. We trusted that our three year old daughter would be fine at grandma's house and made a promise to only check in once on Saturday. It was not easy, but we kept our promise. This weekend was about us: our relationship with each other and our relationship with God.
It was on this weekend that my guilt about my abortion came out. I was still blaming myself, refusing to forgive myself, even though God had already forgiven me. In my mind I had this thought process going that maybe I was only supposed to have two children, and I blew my chance. Marc was gentle and understanding. We became better communicators. We also learned to actively listen to one another, not try to fix it, but just listen. Nine months later our very handsome son was born.
What a scary birth it was. First of all the little stinker was two weeks late to the day. Then, even though I was induced, he was just too comfortable in my belly. When he finally did make his appearance, it was fast. He practically flew out. However, he was blue.
The cord was wrapped around his neck two times. His apgar's were 0 and 2. He would be rushed down to NICU without me being able to even hold him first. Then my complications would begin. I started hemorrhaging. After no pain drugs and a natural birth I was rushed into surgery. They stopped the bleeding, but also had to give me two pints of blood. Meanwhile, they left my husband, the new father, in the labor/delivery room alone.
But my son's birth was a miracle. The reason he did not drop prior to flying out was because had he, he probably would have been born dead. Then we found out that his umbilical cord was eight inches longer than normal.
You see, God's hand was always there. From the timing of my pregnancy, to the timing of my son's birth. If anything had been different, so would have the outcome.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Am I So Arrogant
We all want to believe we are good. If we have not done anything too disasterous or criminal it is quite easy to have that mindset. We figure that as long as we put in a hard, honest days work, done our chores, have not abused our spouse or children, went to the obligatory church service, put money in the offering plate, took the new neighbor a welcome gift, attended bible study or worked at the homeless shelter, we are good. We have earned our salvation. We may have even made a name for ourselves or given a lasting legacy that others will write about, read about, or reminisce about.
But deep down we are all sinners. At our very core we want what we want, when we want it, and how we want it. We see our needs, wants, and desires as being more important than the next persons. We want a pat on our back when we do something well, and then we want to brag about it to others. I mean, it's only human. We begin our lives egocentric and we will end our lives the same way.
The is only one who is good. There is only one who is deserving. There is only one who is perfect. That is God. He created us and the world around us. It is His master plan, His design. If anyone deserves recognition and praise it is Him.
God gave us the greatest gift of all: His Son. Through Jesus we receive Salvation. And guess what, it is a free gift. There is nothing we can do or say to make us more deserving than the next person.
He has given us grace. Merriam Webster defines grace as: a virtue coming from God, unmerited divine assistance freely given to humans for their regeneration or santification. An act or instance of kindness, courtesy, or clemincy. A reprieve. Do you see these words? Freely given. Instance of kindness, unmerited divine assistance. There is nothing we can do to gain it. It cannot be worked for.
The punishment meant for us, death, was taken away. It was put on Jesus, the final sacrifice. He freely, willingly, and obediently took it. Romans 5:8 tells us: God demonstrated his love for us in this: That while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 2 Corinithians 5:21 tells us: God created him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Our Pastor, Joe Coffey, talked about idols for the last two weeks. These are not the wooden, stone, or metal images we think of. These are the "things" in our life that we put before God. The things we use to define ourselves. The things we think we cannot live without were they to die or disappear. Our jobs, talents, sports, families, friends, homes, hobbies, money. They help us to forget what is truly important, who made us, who we belong to, who we get our talents and abilities from. We may feel that because we work so hard, or practice so much, that our money, talents, and abilities are ours. But if we were to die tomorrow, what good would all these things do for us. Nothing.
I know that when something bad happens in my life I get angry at God and say "What did I do to deserve this?", "Why me?", "I prayed for this to happen and you have not made it happen", or the classic "It's just not fair." Talk about needing a reality check. What have I done solely for God? Sure I volunteer, but how often do I tell someone how good it makes me "feel" when I serve. I love to praise and worship through song, but how often do I say how good it makes me feel or how it makes me feel closer to God. How many times do I or anyone else give or do something because of how it makes me feel? It would appear that although I do it because I am called to as a Christian, I am doing it for what I gain. And yet if GRACE is freely given, then I cannot gain it.
Feeling good about how you act or what you do is not a bad thing, I am not saying that. But we need to make sure what our motives are. We need to have a humble heart when we praise or worship or give or serve. We cannot do it alone. We need God's help. We need to pray and ask. We can't say by our actions, because I have done this God I expect you to do this. How arrogant is that; giving God an ultimatum. I know the next time I do or want to say something, I'm gonna do a reality check.
But deep down we are all sinners. At our very core we want what we want, when we want it, and how we want it. We see our needs, wants, and desires as being more important than the next persons. We want a pat on our back when we do something well, and then we want to brag about it to others. I mean, it's only human. We begin our lives egocentric and we will end our lives the same way.
The is only one who is good. There is only one who is deserving. There is only one who is perfect. That is God. He created us and the world around us. It is His master plan, His design. If anyone deserves recognition and praise it is Him.
God gave us the greatest gift of all: His Son. Through Jesus we receive Salvation. And guess what, it is a free gift. There is nothing we can do or say to make us more deserving than the next person.
He has given us grace. Merriam Webster defines grace as: a virtue coming from God, unmerited divine assistance freely given to humans for their regeneration or santification. An act or instance of kindness, courtesy, or clemincy. A reprieve. Do you see these words? Freely given. Instance of kindness, unmerited divine assistance. There is nothing we can do to gain it. It cannot be worked for.
The punishment meant for us, death, was taken away. It was put on Jesus, the final sacrifice. He freely, willingly, and obediently took it. Romans 5:8 tells us: God demonstrated his love for us in this: That while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 2 Corinithians 5:21 tells us: God created him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Our Pastor, Joe Coffey, talked about idols for the last two weeks. These are not the wooden, stone, or metal images we think of. These are the "things" in our life that we put before God. The things we use to define ourselves. The things we think we cannot live without were they to die or disappear. Our jobs, talents, sports, families, friends, homes, hobbies, money. They help us to forget what is truly important, who made us, who we belong to, who we get our talents and abilities from. We may feel that because we work so hard, or practice so much, that our money, talents, and abilities are ours. But if we were to die tomorrow, what good would all these things do for us. Nothing.
I know that when something bad happens in my life I get angry at God and say "What did I do to deserve this?", "Why me?", "I prayed for this to happen and you have not made it happen", or the classic "It's just not fair." Talk about needing a reality check. What have I done solely for God? Sure I volunteer, but how often do I tell someone how good it makes me "feel" when I serve. I love to praise and worship through song, but how often do I say how good it makes me feel or how it makes me feel closer to God. How many times do I or anyone else give or do something because of how it makes me feel? It would appear that although I do it because I am called to as a Christian, I am doing it for what I gain. And yet if GRACE is freely given, then I cannot gain it.
Feeling good about how you act or what you do is not a bad thing, I am not saying that. But we need to make sure what our motives are. We need to have a humble heart when we praise or worship or give or serve. We cannot do it alone. We need God's help. We need to pray and ask. We can't say by our actions, because I have done this God I expect you to do this. How arrogant is that; giving God an ultimatum. I know the next time I do or want to say something, I'm gonna do a reality check.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
A Tale of Two Families
I'm adopted. I was born to Donna Jean Hornak on April 28, 1968. She made a very unselfish, difficult decision. She understood that she could not be able to care for me in the proper way, so she contacted an agency, and I was placed with another family.
Madlyn and Stanley Kechisen wanted to be parents. They wanted the opportunity to share their lives and love with a little child. Try as they may, they could not have children. No amount of time at a fertility clinic or on their knees in prayer would allow them to conceive. But God had a different idea. He knew they would be the perfect couple to love and care for this baby girl. This is the story they told me:
"Mommy and Daddy couldn't have a baby, so they filed papers with an agency that helps childless parents adopt a baby. We waited seven years. We went through many, many interviews, had to write letters about why we deserved a baby. We had to have other people write letters of recommendation to prove we would be good parents. One day the phone rang and a lady told me they had a little baby girl available. We could come to see her on Friday to make sure she was the one we wanted, or we could pick her up on Monday. Madlyn told the lady they did not need to see this baby, they already knew they loved her. They spent a very busy weekend getting everything they needed to have the house prepared for my arrival. Madlyn even had three different dresses she took with her so she could dress me in something she and my dad picked out. They became a family that Monday.
My parents were wonderful, loving, caring, and supportive people. The loved God and taught me about Him. I always knew, because they told me, that God picked me out special just for them.
Not long after my dad died in 1995, my mom called me and asked me to find my birth family. This is something I had never thought about doing because I was content with where God placed me. But she wanted me to do while she was alive. So I started my search. It took me less than a year to find Donna. Once I had her name, and knew she was divorced I could look up the divorce decree. That is when I found out I had two older, half brothers. In March of 1996 Donna and I would meet for lunch, get acquainted and share photographs.
She told me she always thought about me, but that only her mom knew about the pregnancy, birth, and adoption. My birth father was a married man, her first love. Although she got pregnant during her affair with him, she did not regret having me. She was glad I had searched her out. Eventually she would tell her mom and my brothers about me. She told her brother and also a few good friends. The Sunday after Easter that year I would meet them all. The amazing part was that she wanted to meet my mom as well.
The first words these women exchanged was "Thank You". They thanked each other for doing for the others what they could not do. My birth family embraced me and my mom, now I had an extended family.
My birth family were not Christians. They were not atheists either. They believed in Jesus, they had just not accepted Him as their Lord and Savior. Over the next few years they would attend Compassion to see me and my family perform. They would attend my son's baptism three two years later. They joined us for Christmas, Easter, and birthdays. I am not sure if it was our faith and belief in Jesus, our prayer for their salvation, or exposing them to His majesty, but it allowed them to be open to Him, and through other people my oldest brother, wife and daughter came to the Lord. It would be a few more years for Donna to accept Christ. Just this past November my other brother came to Christ. Prayers have been answered.
I would like to think that God brought me together with my birth family so I could share the gospel message with them. But everything is in His time and for His purpose. Both of my adoptive parents have gone to be with the Lord. Of that I am sure. I still have my birth family, and have remained close with them since 1995. I cannot imagine my life without them. I feel very blessed to have them in my life and in my children's lives. I believe it was orchestrated by God, because in this life there are no coincidences, only Godincidences. I been able to watch them change, their relationships change, their attitudes change since they have become believers. It helps to remind me of what is important.
Madlyn and Stanley Kechisen wanted to be parents. They wanted the opportunity to share their lives and love with a little child. Try as they may, they could not have children. No amount of time at a fertility clinic or on their knees in prayer would allow them to conceive. But God had a different idea. He knew they would be the perfect couple to love and care for this baby girl. This is the story they told me:
"Mommy and Daddy couldn't have a baby, so they filed papers with an agency that helps childless parents adopt a baby. We waited seven years. We went through many, many interviews, had to write letters about why we deserved a baby. We had to have other people write letters of recommendation to prove we would be good parents. One day the phone rang and a lady told me they had a little baby girl available. We could come to see her on Friday to make sure she was the one we wanted, or we could pick her up on Monday. Madlyn told the lady they did not need to see this baby, they already knew they loved her. They spent a very busy weekend getting everything they needed to have the house prepared for my arrival. Madlyn even had three different dresses she took with her so she could dress me in something she and my dad picked out. They became a family that Monday.
My parents were wonderful, loving, caring, and supportive people. The loved God and taught me about Him. I always knew, because they told me, that God picked me out special just for them.
Not long after my dad died in 1995, my mom called me and asked me to find my birth family. This is something I had never thought about doing because I was content with where God placed me. But she wanted me to do while she was alive. So I started my search. It took me less than a year to find Donna. Once I had her name, and knew she was divorced I could look up the divorce decree. That is when I found out I had two older, half brothers. In March of 1996 Donna and I would meet for lunch, get acquainted and share photographs.
She told me she always thought about me, but that only her mom knew about the pregnancy, birth, and adoption. My birth father was a married man, her first love. Although she got pregnant during her affair with him, she did not regret having me. She was glad I had searched her out. Eventually she would tell her mom and my brothers about me. She told her brother and also a few good friends. The Sunday after Easter that year I would meet them all. The amazing part was that she wanted to meet my mom as well.
The first words these women exchanged was "Thank You". They thanked each other for doing for the others what they could not do. My birth family embraced me and my mom, now I had an extended family.
My birth family were not Christians. They were not atheists either. They believed in Jesus, they had just not accepted Him as their Lord and Savior. Over the next few years they would attend Compassion to see me and my family perform. They would attend my son's baptism three two years later. They joined us for Christmas, Easter, and birthdays. I am not sure if it was our faith and belief in Jesus, our prayer for their salvation, or exposing them to His majesty, but it allowed them to be open to Him, and through other people my oldest brother, wife and daughter came to the Lord. It would be a few more years for Donna to accept Christ. Just this past November my other brother came to Christ. Prayers have been answered.
I would like to think that God brought me together with my birth family so I could share the gospel message with them. But everything is in His time and for His purpose. Both of my adoptive parents have gone to be with the Lord. Of that I am sure. I still have my birth family, and have remained close with them since 1995. I cannot imagine my life without them. I feel very blessed to have them in my life and in my children's lives. I believe it was orchestrated by God, because in this life there are no coincidences, only Godincidences. I been able to watch them change, their relationships change, their attitudes change since they have become believers. It helps to remind me of what is important.
Friday, August 26, 2011
A Vision
Our family was in a Passion Play Musical for ten years. It was called "Compassion". A musical drama about the last week of Christ's life, but from Peter's perspective. The play opens with Old Peter in prison. He knows the time has almost come for his execution, and in order to draw strength he talks about his life from the time Christ called him at the Sea of Galilee til the Resurrection. Young Peter is a part of the production following Christ through all the scenes. For the non-Christian or the Chrisian who is not well versed in the life of Christ, Old Peter fills in all the gaps.
My husband Marc played a few different apostles, but mainly his role was that of John, the Beloved disciple. I play a few different roles, from an Archangel, to Mary, the mother of Christ, to my main role of the Samaritan Woman. I had two Compassion pregnancies, talk about a new spin on the Samaritan Woman. Our children also starred in roles from before they could walk, to sitting on Jesus' lap, to singing. It was six weekends, from Ash Wedesday through Good Friday. It was exhausting, but rewarding.
Many of our friends came out in support at least once to view the play. Marc's dad even saw it when he was in from Virginia. As usual, my parents came at least twice every year. We made a lot of friends and called them our Compassion family. I was also in charge of make-up, and had the honor of doing the make-up for Jesus, just so his eyeliner did not resemble that of Alice Cooper he would say.
During our third season of the play, my mother-in-law lost her battle with cancer. That year Compassion was dedicated to her memory. That same year, three month later my dad died unexpectly of a massive heart attack. Our Compassion family was there to support us through both. The following year the play was dedicated to his memory. But that following year, I lost some of my vigor for the play. It would be different without my biggest fan. I went through the motions, and because I am such a good actress, no one knew how much it bothered me or what I was missing.
During Act II, I did not have a huge part since it was mostly about the scheming Pharisees and Sadducees and the trial. I spent alot of time back stage praying and thinking. But this particular year, I was moping more than praying. Around weekend three I was hiding in a good spot back stage. No one knew where it was so I could be alone. All of a sudden I got really warm, then felt a slight breeze, and thought I heard my dad's voice saying "I'm OK Paula, I'm happy". I told no one because I figured they would think I was nuts. A few weeks later, during the Pieta scene, I looked up because I thought I felt someone looking at me. On the other side of the stage, next to the empty cross, I saw a vision of my dad, sitting there smiling. I did a double take because I could not believe it.
After that weekend, I talked to some friends about my experience. I prayed about it. I wrestled with it. I figured out that God was unhappy that my heart was not in the ministry. I figured out He needed to shake me up a little, send my a message that it was OK to move on. Obviously using the music and the ministry of the play was not working. God will used whatever means possible to get your attention.
The final song of the play is called "Trust in the Lord". It is based on Proverbs 3:5: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will bless all your days. This is what I needed to return to. Yes, my dad was gone, he would never be in the audience to watch. But my Heavenly Father is always watching. He is always cheering for me. He IS my biggest fan. Hard to comprehend, but it's true. But He wants so much more than to be in the audience watching. He wants to be a part of my life. He wants to walk beside me, hold my hand, be a shoulder to cry on, someone to lean on. He wants to hold me, comfort me, laugh with me. Unless you really and truly Trust in Him with ALL your heart, and acknowledge Him in everything, he can't do that. You see, the God I believe in, trust in, count on, is a gentleman. He will not push Himself on you, barge into your life, and take over. He is waiting for an invitation. He will accept it.
Are you willing to open your heart to Him. Are you willing to open the door to Him. In Revelation 3:20 Jesus says "Here I am, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me." He is waiting patiently. Will you let him in?
My husband Marc played a few different apostles, but mainly his role was that of John, the Beloved disciple. I play a few different roles, from an Archangel, to Mary, the mother of Christ, to my main role of the Samaritan Woman. I had two Compassion pregnancies, talk about a new spin on the Samaritan Woman. Our children also starred in roles from before they could walk, to sitting on Jesus' lap, to singing. It was six weekends, from Ash Wedesday through Good Friday. It was exhausting, but rewarding.
Many of our friends came out in support at least once to view the play. Marc's dad even saw it when he was in from Virginia. As usual, my parents came at least twice every year. We made a lot of friends and called them our Compassion family. I was also in charge of make-up, and had the honor of doing the make-up for Jesus, just so his eyeliner did not resemble that of Alice Cooper he would say.
During our third season of the play, my mother-in-law lost her battle with cancer. That year Compassion was dedicated to her memory. That same year, three month later my dad died unexpectly of a massive heart attack. Our Compassion family was there to support us through both. The following year the play was dedicated to his memory. But that following year, I lost some of my vigor for the play. It would be different without my biggest fan. I went through the motions, and because I am such a good actress, no one knew how much it bothered me or what I was missing.
During Act II, I did not have a huge part since it was mostly about the scheming Pharisees and Sadducees and the trial. I spent alot of time back stage praying and thinking. But this particular year, I was moping more than praying. Around weekend three I was hiding in a good spot back stage. No one knew where it was so I could be alone. All of a sudden I got really warm, then felt a slight breeze, and thought I heard my dad's voice saying "I'm OK Paula, I'm happy". I told no one because I figured they would think I was nuts. A few weeks later, during the Pieta scene, I looked up because I thought I felt someone looking at me. On the other side of the stage, next to the empty cross, I saw a vision of my dad, sitting there smiling. I did a double take because I could not believe it.
After that weekend, I talked to some friends about my experience. I prayed about it. I wrestled with it. I figured out that God was unhappy that my heart was not in the ministry. I figured out He needed to shake me up a little, send my a message that it was OK to move on. Obviously using the music and the ministry of the play was not working. God will used whatever means possible to get your attention.
The final song of the play is called "Trust in the Lord". It is based on Proverbs 3:5: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will bless all your days. This is what I needed to return to. Yes, my dad was gone, he would never be in the audience to watch. But my Heavenly Father is always watching. He is always cheering for me. He IS my biggest fan. Hard to comprehend, but it's true. But He wants so much more than to be in the audience watching. He wants to be a part of my life. He wants to walk beside me, hold my hand, be a shoulder to cry on, someone to lean on. He wants to hold me, comfort me, laugh with me. Unless you really and truly Trust in Him with ALL your heart, and acknowledge Him in everything, he can't do that. You see, the God I believe in, trust in, count on, is a gentleman. He will not push Himself on you, barge into your life, and take over. He is waiting for an invitation. He will accept it.
Are you willing to open your heart to Him. Are you willing to open the door to Him. In Revelation 3:20 Jesus says "Here I am, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me." He is waiting patiently. Will you let him in?
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