Reflections

Memories run like a slow motion picture in the shadows of my mind. Christin, Kati and I sat in a circle with our neighbors in their front yard. Some boys from the foster home across the street joined us as we chatted and laughed. The oldest boy for no apparent reason got up and slapped me across the face. Without missing a beat my unexpected response was to embrace him tightly. He looked confused and I asked why he had struck me. His face was lifeless and he shook his head in disbelief. It was not until later that I was given the story that the boys mother had shot herself in front of them. What a horrific picture for one to hold in the presence of their minds. There I sat with two lively and well loved daughters laughing and enjoying life. He was jealous but could not put his finger on the muddle that had unfairly been handed to him. The boys traveled back and forth from their foster home to our humble abode. They would spend countless hours in our small front room talking, laughing, playing cards or watching cartoons. One day the big question arose, could I adopt them. My heart sank, I had grown to love these two boys. I had to explain that I just did not have the means but would have loved for them to my sons. Shortly following that day, they came to tell me that their father was coming from California to pick them up. He had decided to take them back from the state and provide a home for them. This particular day has been deeply etched into my mind. I watched from my window as a man approached the door of the foster home. He loaded the boys suitcases into the trunk and the boys somberly climbed into the car and slowly drove down the street then vanished as they turned the corner. I was left with tears streaming down my face knowing that I had no control of the outcome of this situation. Through out my life, I have hoped and prayed for those two boys. I have prayed that they would be safe, that they would be loved and that most of all they would come to know the saving grace that is freely offered by excepting Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

John 3:1-6 (KJV) 1There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.