As we patiently wait for our new daughter, I decided to get active in the internet groups that I was active in during the months before and after we brought Elise home. These groups, one group particular, has been such a blessing of support and camaraderie for me. We still post updates of what their children are doing or not doing, how their transitions have gone and what is going on in their lives now. It's been amazing. I feel like I could contact anyone of these ladies from around the US and Canada and tell them I was coming to town and they would be the first one's to want to get together, if even for a very short time. So, I wanted that support group for this adoption. I wanted that group of families to share frustrations and celebrations with for my new daughter.
So off I go to join the appropriate groups. But this time it's different. Yes, there are still some very amazing people that are adopting right now. They are loving and kind and gracious and full of excitement and wonder of what lies ahead. Alas, there is a faction of people out there that no longer want any type of reference to religion to seep in to any thing that these groups do: ie. cybershowers, quilt square swaps, messages etc. Some groups have even gone so far as to ban any reference to religion in anything that is done for fear that someone will be offended. But then there is no consideration to someone like me, a Christian, but not a "bible thumper" as we have been called. People find it offensive that I sign my posts with "blessings, Kim". What's that all about????? There is no tolerance for what my heart .... I can't even send a wish to someone that has a bible verse on it because they think I'm trying to convert them. Again, what's that all about????
But as I ponder and pray over this, God creeps into my thoughts. I think about the years spent as a youth volunteer at my church. How those incredible young people struggled in today's society with "acceptance". We had so many discussions about absolute truths and what that really means. One conversation I had with one of my favorite young people was about gays and how a Christian should talk to a gay about salvation. Naturally, this quickly became a very heated conversation because this young person (a devout Christian) did not like what he was hearing. After taking a deep breath, stepping back for a minute and letting the rant continue.
I softly said, "What does the bible say?" {no comment, from the youth}
"How are you going to feel if you get to heaven and he/she is standing there with you and you are waiting for your turn to enter. But unfortunately, your friend is turned away because of the choice of lifestyle that they made."
"That person turns to YOU and says, 'You told me I'd be alright! That this was o.k. and I'd still get into heaven."
He just sat there and stared at me, he had nothing to say. Finally I said, "It's not about me being right, you being right or your friend being right. This should not be an argument. This should just be you speaking the truth as you know and believe it and conveying that to your friend."
"You still have to love them and I know you do, as I do. But we are duty bound to speak the truth. It's not o.k. for us to tell someone that they are going to be o.k. when we know that is not the truth. It's about their salvation. Something you have no right to jeapardize because you think you are passing judgement on them."
This was a real life lesson for me and for this young person.
The great thing about the internet is the ability of anyone to start a group or a blog and you can say and do anything you want. The bad thing about the internet is the ability of anyone to start a group or a blog and you can say and do anything you want. I'm sure you get my drift. The bright side is that there is a group of wonderful Christian families that have started a group that is loving and supported and filled with their love for God. I'm still a member of the larger group, but you have to be careful what you say since there are people that will take what you post and travel to another group, use your post for their own fodder and rhetoric. It's actually very disturbing, but mostly very sad. I know that all I can pray for is peace to enter their hearts and for them to let go of their displays of hatred toward Christians.
So since this is my blog....I can say whatever I want, rant about whatever I want etc. So, I'm ranting about this. There's a beautiful song by Nicole Nordeman that says it all. I've included the lyrics. If you get a chance to go online and listen to it, you won't forget it. She has an incredible voice and I fall into her music.
Have a wonderful evening!
God Bless anyone reading this!
Nichole Nordeman - What If
From the album Brave
What if you’re right?
And he was just another nice guy
What if you’re right?
What if it’s true?
They say the cross will only make a fool of you
And what if it’s true?
What if he takes his palace in history
With all the prophets and the kings
Who taught us love and came in peace
But then the story ends
What then?
(Chours)
But what if you’re wrong?
What if there’s more?
What if there’s hope you never dreamed of hoping for?
What if you jump?
And just close your eyes?
What if the arms that catch you, catch you by surprise?
What if He’s more than enough?
What if it’s love?
What if you dig,
What if you dig
Way down deeper than your simple-minded friends
What if you dig?
What if you find
A thousand more unanswered questions inside
That’s all you find
What if you pick apart the logic
And begin to poke the holes
What if the crown of thorns is no more
Then folklore that must be told and retold
(Chours)
You’ve been running as fast as you can
You’ve been looking for a place you can land so long
But what if you’re wrong?
What if you jump?
And just close your eyes?
What if the arms that catch you, catch you by surprise?
What if He’s more than enough?
What if it’s love?
Lyrics may not be reproduced without permission from the publisher.
Label: Sparrow Records
So, what if I'm wrong.....well, I will have lived a life filled with peace and joy and comfort. I will have lived believing there is more and in that I have so much more to look forward to. I will reach out in the way that Christ wanted us to, the way He reached out. I will give the way Christ wants us to give, physically, emotionally and financially! I will leave this place and I will have had a positive impace some where that legacy will continue. So, if I'm wrong....I don't think I will have lived a miserable existence. Quite the contrary....I have had people look at me and say, "I want what you have!" All I can say is "I've got Jesus!" It's just that simple!
