One Nagging Text From Victory

 

 How  hard should one pressure someone to do the right thing? How relentless should one be in confrontation when you are certain you are right? I don't know about all of you, but when I know God's word on a subject, and I know the practical benefits of something, and someone chooses not to do that thing, I cannot back off. I feel burdened, even compelled to doggedly pursue them, to convince them to make the choice that I know leads to life, to joy...to God. Word to the wise: this personality trait does not lead to developing a large circle of friends.

I can think of countless specific examples, not the least of which is speaking on behalf of the babies at the sidewalks of the abortion mills. But I had an unusual new drama play out this weekend. A new mama ran out of money and called me. She needed money for her brand new baby's formula. I took a deep breath, and refused help. I told her I could not help her, but God could. Nursing her child costs nothing, has benefits for both her and the baby, and there were lots of experts around willing to help her. She did not seem enthused, but agreed to try.

However, she didn't. Not till she was home from the hospital and called me with other concerns. I revisited the nursing issue. (of course I did....) She would make no promises, didn't want to be pressured, but told me she might try. Later, she texted. Baby wouldn't latch on. She would just find a way to get formula. So I said, "Oh well," and backed off.  

NOT!

"Try again," I implored her, "It will help both of you. Please, try again."

Through my cities4life contacts, I found a lactation consultant. I called the mom and asked if I could have the consultant contact her. She reluctantly agreed. I spoke with the consultant. No sooner did I get off the phone than the mama called me.

"Mrs. Vicky, I did it. She nursed. My baby nursed."

I don't know when to back off sometimes. I have dogged determination, and it can be a weakness. But I think sometimes God wants us to be pit-bulls. Don't let go. Wrestle with truth and stand your ground. You just never know when victory is one nagging text away.

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Isaiah 66:10-13 

“Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice with her in joy, all you who mourn over her; that you may nurse and be satisfied from her consoling breast; that you may drink deeply with delight from her glorious abundance.” For thus says the Lord: “Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream; and you shall nurse, you shall be carried upon her hip, and bounced upon her knees. As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.

Luke 11:27

As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!”

Lamentations 4:3 

Even jackals offer the breast; they nurse their young, but the daughter of my people has become cruel, like the ostriches in the wilderness.

Psalm 22:9 

Yet you are he who took me from the womb; you made me trust you at my mother's breasts.

1 Peter 2:2 

Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—

Joel 2:16 

Gather the people. Consecrate the congregation; assemble the elders; gather the children, even nursing infants. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her chamber.

Genesis 49:25 

By the God of your father who will help you, by the Almighty who will bless you with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that crouches beneath, blessings of the breasts and of the womb.

Isaiah 49:15

“Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.