"I praise You because I am fearfully
and wonderfully made."
-Psalm 139:14

I'm just sitting here looking at my computer screen and it just keeps looking back at me blank. What am I going to write for the eSpirit? I have the kids in bed and my Bible open, just waiting for some wise words to jump off the page and onto the screen -- tic-tock, tic-tock!

And then of course, the thoughts and words come -- not exactly from my opened Bible but through my fifteen-year-old daughter Lindsey. I have two of the most beautiful children, inside and out, that were ever born! It had nothing to do with my husband Steve and me. We adopted them as infants and have celebrated the information that they were adopted from the start of their young lives. When they were small, they thought everyone was adopted and felt sorry for those who weren't!

Now Lindsey wants to meet her birthmother, talk on the phone and have some sort of contact with her. Even though she has pictures of her birthmother, she still wonders who she looks like? Whose talents and quirks did she inherit? It really is her story, but for the life of me I can't help but tell it -- shout it from the rooftop -- that this precious girl was a total gift of grace when I did not deserve it.

When Lindsey asked to meet her birthmother, my first inclination was "Why?" What do you need to know? Why do you need to know? And then the thoughts I was searching for earlier for this article were very clear. Why Lindsey wants to meet her birthmother is very similar as to why I want to meet my heavenly Father. I am so curious. Am I "in His own image"? Do I "look" like Him and have the godly characteristics of one of His saints? I know the Bible tells me He is real and I'll be with Him one day, but if I could just talk to Him I could be reassured that He does love me even though I'm not with Him. Just as I want to shout from the rooftop about my two wonderful children, I also want to shout out that I am the most blessed person alive because of my heavenly Father!

For now, we'll walk through this adventure with Lindsey so she can get the answers that she needs. As for me, I'd like to wait a little bit longer to get my answers!

Dear Gracious Heavenly Father,
Make Yourself "real" to us. Let us
continually see Your works through
our children, our family, our co-workers,
and strangers. Even though we wonder
about being "in Your image,"
let us remember
that You are with us every day.
Let us be reminded
every day of "Whose we are!"
Thank you, Father, for this gift of life
and Your reassuring love for us.
Amen.

Teri Budde
Director of Mother's Day Out
and Child Care Coordinator

 

May 4 ~ Bring A Friend Sunday Bring a neighbor, friends, co-worker or family member to worship with you! Lunch in Tennent Hall after the 11:00 am Service of Worship with music from Noon to 1:00 pm by The Live316 Band presenting "An Hour of Praise!" more...

May 4 ~ Elijah: God's Faithful Prophet 5:00 pm - Children’s Spring Musical in the Sanctuary 6:00 - Hamburger Dinner in Tennent Hall In January, our Sonshine and Covenant Choir members began to learn songs from a delightful musical, Elijah! God’s Faithful Prophet. Written by Texas composer, Mark Patterson, the story unfolds through the characters of Elijah, Obadiah, Ahab and Jezebel. more....

May 9 ~ All-Church, Family Camp Out Camping out has never been so easy and fun! Enjoy all the comforts of home on the church lawn (access to bathroom facilities!) We’ll begin pitching our tents at 6:00 pm on Friday, May 9, followed by a cookout featuring hot dogs, chips, drinks and watermelon. We’ll have dessert roasted over our campfires (fire pits needed) marshmallows, s’mores and banana boats. more...