For The Children Who Cross Our Paths

Normally I would not blog this late at night, but my heart is so heavy I have to get this out on "paper," if you will. Tonight at church I have 2 little girls in my class, sisters, that might have well been my sister, Melissa, and I 20 years ago. Very close in age these girls are, a little rough around the edges definitely. For the sake of their privacy I will call them "Michele" and "Melissa".

Tonight we did a thankful chain and one of "Michele's" chains was she was thankful for her birth mom. She and her sister are adopted. I later asked her if she ever saw her birth mom and she said, "No, that she was in jail." Another child (different kid in the class who is also adopted) spoke up and said his mom was in jail too, and he remembers the police coming to his house.

Unfortunately, I could really relate to these children. I spoke up very quickly and told them that as a little girl I once visited my Daddy in jail and I described to them what the situation was like. I didn't want them to feel ashamed for where they came from. You see, as a child, my close friends all had what I perceived to be "perfect families" - both of their mom and dad were together. Mine were not. Their families all went to church together. We either went with my grandparents or my neighbor. My dad was an alcoholic and drug user. I knew way, way too much as child. My sister and I experienced more heartache and grief than any child should.

I then asked these 3 children if they ever prayed for their birth mothers? All 3 quickly responded "No." I then encouraged them that they have to pray for their birth mothers. I told them their birth mothers act the way they do because they don't know Jesus, and if they knew Jesus then their hearts would change. I also told them they must pray for their birth mom's because no one else may be doing it. To my surprise the little girl that sometimes gives us the most trouble, "Michele", was very tenderhearted about this issue and shook her head yes. Her sister, "Melissa", responded with a "No, I'm not praying for her."

We get home and my Ashley tells me that "Michele" told her that her mom's boyfriend one day hit her mom and then took her baby brother and banged him up against a mirror. I am totally heartbroken for these precious children!!! I have just cried my eyes out. Ashley then said, "I always just thought "Michele" was mean," I told Ashley, "Now we know why. That poor child has seen and heard more than any child should."

I'm telling you God has blessed me with a real-life Cinderella story!! He has certainly done far more with my life than I could ever think or imagine (Eph 3:20). First of all He saved me!!! I was a sinner, dying and going to hell, and he pursued me and saved me. Then He kept me safe from so many, many things that could have harmed me. He has blessed me with an amazing husband who is my real-life, "Prince Charming," 3 beautiful children who love their mom so very much. I have a beautiful home in a nice neighborhood. I have a nice car. We have food on our table. I have a wonderful church. I am blessed with AMAZING friends! I have an awesome mom who is one of my very best friends. I have 2 sisters that I truly delight in and think the world of. The list could go on and on. Many, many times I have asked the LORD, "Why have you blessed me in such amazing ways? I certainly do not deserve any of this." I know BEYOND a shadow of a doubt it is because He LOVES me!!! Because I am telling you NOTHING I have ever done in my life is good enough for me to have the life that I have! It is all for His glory!!! I give Him ALL the praise and ALL the glory for this life He has given me!

I know for certain people prayed for me as a child. I know my Grandmama and Papa and my Faye covered Melissa and I in prayer. I am pretty sure there were others out there praying; in fact, I am convinced of it. I can't wait to one day meet these people in heaven and thank them, truly thank them from the very bottom of my heart. I just really believe in the power of prayer! So please, please, please I urge you to pray for those children that cross your path. Pray for your children. Pray for your children's friends. Pray for your children's enemies. Pray for their classmates. Pray for your friends' children. Pray for your nieces and nephews. Pray for those children you teach at church. Pray for those children that come up and give you a hug on Sunday mornings. It makes a difference. I am a living, breathing example of the power of prayer.

As I prayed for these 3 precious children tonight I pleaded with God to please bless their lives even more than He had already blessed mine. I prayed that they would live their lives glorifying Him!

P.S. On a side note, my Mom is a Christian now and loves the LORD and the majority of the things I experienced were the times when I was with my Dad. As far as my Dad's salvation, it is one of those things I am really unsure about - however, I will NEVER, EVER, NEVER stop praying for him - even during the times it hurts.