A Birthday Prayer

This day comes around once a year.(Like most days, I guess) Usually I remember what the day signifies, say a prayer, and slowly return to my daily routine. This time, though, I went to the files and got out the medical records.

Well, one really grainy copy of my stay at the hospital. It records the time I arrived (5:45 AM), some notes I can't read, the date (3/18/81) and the time of my baby's birth. (6:55 PM)

It doesn't record that I gave him up for adoption that day.
It doesn't tell me what his parent's named him, or where they live.
It doesn't mention if he has any other siblings, or how he is doing now.
It doesn't tell me if he is following Christ .

I can't help but wonder about him today as I look at this paper. At the time, all I wanted to do was get out of that hospital and get on with my own life.What a mistake. I didn't get that that WAS a part of my own life and that someday I would be crying over this single sheet of paper,the only thing I have from that day,and praying for him.

I am so grateful for the life that God has blessed me with, for my family, friends and church. (Josiah just called AGAIN to check in; no son calls their parents that much! It reminded me how really blessed I am)

So, on your birthday, son that I never knew, I pray for your life. I pray that you are healthy and safe, that your family is good to you and that you know our Lord.I pray that the Lord will someday allow you and your brother and sister(Josiah and Amy) to meet. They would like that so much. I almost feel as if I can't ask that for myself, although I dream of it. I ask the Lord to bless you and to help you grow towards Him daily. I'm more sorry than I can say that I didn't appreciate how precious you were , and a gift from God, until years later. I do love you.

Into His Wonderful Light

Thank you to those who had time to pray last week. What a total blessing it was! Opening up God's word with women who are so hungry to learn is such a privilege. The responsibility weighs heavy on me each week and I don't take it lightly, so if you ever feel led to pray for us on Wednesday and/or Thursday nights, that would be tremendous.

We have a variety of women prisoners show up. Some have been coming each week for a long time, some are new, some show up just to see what is going on. Last week we had a lady, very visibly pregnant come for the first time. One woman comes in a wheel chair each week.

I don't know what crimes anyone committed to get them in this prison. But I know that all of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. This is not just rhetoric that we can quote and shrug and go on with our day.

It is truth. All of us deserve punishment from a righteous God. These women's sins happened to be illegal in our society and so their consequence is prison time.

Last week, one of the questions I asked the group in the process of our study was, " What are the sinful desires that wage war in your soul?"

In a bible study on the "outside", I probably would have heard answers such as, "Gossiping. Anger. Coveting." etc. Good, tried and true suburban answers.

These are the actual answers that were called out this evening on the inside, "Lust. Murder. Addiction. Rage. Orgies. Alcoholism. Adultery. Lying. Incest.

It breaks my heart to think of what they must have lived through in their lives to have those answers ready to shout out.

Then we discussed 1st Peter 2:2-12, and how God has called us out of that darkness and into His wonderful light, and how we can live such good lives that even our non-believing cellies (roommates) may notice and give glory to God.

Good times. Really good times.

Hey people!

Can you spare some time? Just a couple moments to say a prayer?

I'm heading back into prison tonight to lead the women in a bible study on the early church. I'm in over my head, but I just love being there anyway. I cannot stop coughing loudly and that pretty much messes up my speaking ability.

Will you prayer for this group of 30 women tonight? Some know the Lord and some are just getting introduced.

The women there pretty much KNOW they need Jesus. Rather refreshing.

Worshipping with this group is an experience you can only get with a group of ladies who are broken sinners and prisoners. Singing "Amazing Grace My Chains are Gone" and "I Will Wait Upon the Lord" take on new dimensions behind bars.They have lost everything and cling to Jesus.

Did I mention I love being there?

If you are looking for Jesus, by the way, you might try prison sometime.

Thank you for praying.