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| the Goode family |
I love redemption.
My youngest daughter was born in Uganda, abandoned two days later under the weight of hopeless circumstances I can only imagine.
Meanwhile, I ached in America, knowing nothing of my Amelia. I wondered when I’d ever mother a second child… why the adoption process was so delayed… why God had called me to adoption when it hurt so bad, and when my own body was capable of pregnancy to fill my waiting arms.
I went to church on the day of Amelia’s birth, not knowing the answer to my prayers had been born. I sobbed as I worshiped, perhaps at the same time my newborn infant was crying a world away.
Amelia was born on Easter day, just like my husband, her dad was.
Doesn’t all redemption start like Easter, in a tomb of despair, then end with the new life of Christ?
Amelia has been home for one and a half years now. She and my oldest daughter, Caroline, are a picture of the gospel. Sisters through the blood of Christ; no genetic similarities necessary. My heart soars to see them love each other.
These days, I am addicted to redemption stories.
God doesn’t cheapen our pain by erasing it, as if it were never there.
No, He does something far more profound.
He takes the very thing Satan wielded to steal, kill, and destroy,
and God presses that evil thing into a reason for joy and worship.
The death instrument used to murder God’s Son is now the cross we glory in. We wear it around our necks and hang it on our walls in remembrance and celebration.
As for Amelia’s abandonment and my empty arms… God turns these into metaphors for His love. They are a picture of how God adopts us when we were desperate… comes from afar to seek us out, even when we did not know who He was.
And your situation…
your sickness
your shame
your sin
your desperation
your loneliness
your singleness
your hard marriage
your painful relationship
your loved one’s death…
God will not just erase this pain.
He will redeem it.
He will make it a reason to worship.
Some day, you will thank God for your trial.
There has to be death before it matters that the tomb is later empty.
For you, resurrection is coming, if you trust in Him.
@mercyink
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This is so great. I love how you talked about how the parts of our lives that hurt the most are also the things God shows his redemptive power. It was a great encouragement to read on a Monday morning.
I’m so glad it encouraged you,, Leelee!
That picture of those two little girls is the most beautiful thing. What an absolutely gorgeous family you have. Thank you for this. Just beautiful.
Laura, I think my girls are gorgeous, too… but I am so biased! :) Thanks for commenting.
From an unbiased opinion, they really are absolutely beautiful! :)
Thanks so much for linking this story to The Sunday Community! I’ve been wandering around Rachel’s place all morning!
Thanks Deidra! She is amazing! Love her writing and blog so much :) blessings, lauren
Deidra, your comment on my site made me excited this morning. :) I sent you an email!
New to your blog and its really a lovely page! Can’t wait to read more!
Your daughters are beautiful! What a wonderful story of that Easter morning she was born and how God was in your heart on that day. I love that!
What a beautiful story :) Wow! There are no greater stories than those of God’s redeeming love.
Amazing, eh!?
I have so many sons, daughters, grandchildren in Uganda since my husband and I were missionaries over there. It just breaks my heart that I am here and they are there. I would rather live there than here, to be honest, but life interferes… the finances, the age-ish annoying part of life. Been 8-1/2 years since being there on a short-term stretch to help after a rebel invasion in one part of the country. BUT so happy for you and so blessed to see your dear ones growing together. Does the word “HALLELUJAH” mean anything to you???
This is such a beautiful story, absolutely love it. Thanks for sharing, off to check out your blog now:)