Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Destined for Greatness



Yesterday was a day of miracles. It was a day of the compassion and generosity of others reaching out to the weary and downtrodden. I am humbled and blessed by watching the hands and feet of Jesus in action. One of the "saves" who chose life on the sidewalks of the abortion mill a few months ago,  who I will call Ruth, has been making monumental strides in good choices and pulling her life together. A whole host of Cities4Life supporters and Jesus-loving friends of mine have donated school needs for her older kids, diapers and supplies for her two year old, and financial assistance for her own college dreams. Additionally, in a couple of months, they will sponsor a phenomenal baby shower that will cover all the new baby's needs for the first two years. These wonderful friends also donated money to cover a 3D ultrasound of her little baby. During the hard days, the thought of the 3D ultrasound kept her chin up. I was the very grateful one allowed to bestow all these gifts upon her, but please be clear, this was all a blessing from the body of believers and God, not me.

I have been involved with her for several months now with ongoing counseling, spiritual discussions, and help contacting/finding resources. She had finally gotten childcare arranged so she could return to school and all was in place for her online college plans. Yesterday morning finally arrived -- the day of the ultrasound! I couldn't wait! My car was brimming with gifts the many Christ lovers in our community had donated to help her. And then I got a text from her. The school plans had crumbled. She had thought it would be free, but it turns out it would be several thousand dollars she didn't have. She had rejected community college, believing she could not get her degree online, and she didn't know how else to do her classes with a newborn. I called the community college in her area and asked for the academic counselor. I was connected to a delightful woman, T. I explained the background and situation and how ideally we needed full financial aid, online classes towards a degree, as well as advising and help in choosing the best major and best classes.

T was clearly sent from God. She confided that her own life story was remarkably similar to Ruth's story. T had felt utterly hopeless at times, but always trusted that God would help her as a single mom who wanted to turn her life around, and she refused to give up. She is now an employee at the college, and pursuing her master's degree. She would be happy to personally assist Ruth in every step of the way, she told me.

As we discussed the best plan, I mentioned Ruth was due in late November which is why she needed online classes.
"Well, finals are the first week in December," said T. She paused.
"Do you think she could do the actual classes and when she has the baby, finish the last bit at home? She would likely be only a week or two from the end of the semester," I asked. Ruth had always wanted to do actual classes but could not imagine how to do so with an infant on the way.
"That is entirely possible," said T, "The professors are usually very willing to work with women in this situation."
"And then she could do online classes the following semester, and be home with her newborn?"
"Yes."
One of the major roadblocks in the community college route for Ruth was not being able to do physical classes with her newborn, but also not being able to get her full major in classes offered online alone. This plan suddenly opened new doors. Is God not amazing!??

I called Ruth instantly and gave her T's number.
"Call her now," I told Ruth, "Submit your financial aid form today, enroll in the college, and then meet with T to register for classes."
Ruth called T, and texted me they had talked. We couldn't discuss it however, since both us had to now hop in our cars and head to the ultrasound facility. Sweet Pea 3D Imaging is the name of this incredible place in Concord, that has become a partner with Cities4Life and provides wonderful service to the moms we refer to them.

The picture in this blog is Ruth's baby boy. I almost cried to see him on the ultrasound! He sucked his thumb, and smiled at us repeatedly. To think this was the little boy who had almost been killed a few months ago by a mom who felt there was no other choice, no hope.

I piled my carload of gifts from all my friends and Cities4Life supporters into Ruth's car. She could not speak at first. She only smiled and lifted the gifts one by one, noting it was her older son's birthday next week. She had not had anything for him. Now she had a trunk loaded with goodies. One friend had given me a new painting for Ruth with a beautiful Bible verse on it. Ruth held the painting and gasped.
"I love this," she said, hugging me. She asked me to send the hugs on to all the wonderful donors.
Then I handed her three boxes of diapers. I knew this past month she had to buy diapers and ran out of money for gas...and food.
"I never expected all this," she said quietly.

"And how did the chat with the college counselor go?" I asked.
She told me she was now scheduled to take placement tests and then register. It looked like everything was miraculously falling in place. The financial aid award should be back within a week, just in time to pay (or we pray for Ruth not to pay) tuition. The check another friend had sent to cover the "seat fee" for the other college will help cover book costs.

"You know, when the other college called me," she said, "To tell me how much money I would have to pay, I asked her if there was anything I could do. She said no. I told her, 'Thank you for destroying my dreams.'  And then I cried and cried. But now I think maybe it was not what God wanted me to do."

"When God closes a door, He opens a window," I said, one of my favorite mantras of late, "Nothing is impossible with God." One of the favorite things I like to call out to the mamas at the abortion mill in the 15 seconds I have to help change their mind is this: "That baby you are carrying within you is a unique and wonderful human being, created by a loving God for a unique and wonderful purpose you will never know if you kill her today. She may be destined for greatness. Please let her live."

Look at that little boy in the picture above. Such a short time ago, he was destined for death, but my prayer is he is now destined for greatness before the God his mama is seeking to serve.

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Habakkuk 2:3 

For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.

Psalm 138:8 

The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.

John 16:33 

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Isaiah 55:11 

So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

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