I called my friend Nikki anticipating her lively voice and was shaken to hear sobbing. âDebbie, we just found out our son died.â
Iâd called in response to an earlier text. That was not why sheâd texted me. But God had timed my call perfectly. Even though I couldnât take away my friendâs pain, I could share in those initial moments of shock and grief.
Nikki felt the need to contact Justinâs birth mother. The woman was devastated. Sheâd never be able to meet her son on earth. She wanted to fly across the country for the service. With Nikkiâs permission I share what she wrote about their meeting.
âFor the first time ever, we met on Thursday. Both of us felt extreme emotions about this meeting, but together we walked and together our hearts connected in ways only God could have worked. We saw each other, our hug was 33 years long, our embrace was extreme in love, joy and compassion for each other. This Holy moment that God ordained since the beginning of time, was fragrant and beautiful, pure and Holy. Nothing could ever surpass the delight that came from our hearts in those first moments.â
Justinâs memorial service was Saturday. Nikki shared how 33 years ago, after her hysterectomy, God completed their family with Justinâ âjust in time.â
Pastor Chuck recalled funny and poignant stories of Justin’s escapades. Then he shared the hope those who know Jesus have of heaven. He invited all who didnât know Jesus to receive Him as their Lord and Savior. At the closing he asked those whoâd invited Jesus into their hearts to stand.
The Gift
âIâll count to three,â he smiled. âOne, two, three.â
One person stoodâJustinâs birth mother.
Overcome, Pastor Chuck covered his face and turned aside. Because of Justin’s untimely death, the woman whoâd chosen life for the son she could not keep will enjoy him for eternity.
Texts to Nikki and her husband reveal two internet attenders also stood and gave their lives to Jesusâincluding a ninety-year-old cherished friend!
So much in our world is broken. Untimely death, pain, and loss have marked 2020 for many. We need to remember, this is not our home. And as Pastor Chuck proclaimed after heâd recovered his composure, âIf it ainât good, it ainât over.â
âIf it ainât good, it ainât over.â ~ Pastor Chuck Thompson #hope, #grief Share on XBecause of Justin's untimely #death, the woman whoâd chosen life for the son she could not keep will enjoy him for eternity. #EternalLife Share on XNow to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amenâ (Ephes. 3:20-21 NIV).
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Blessings,
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Tears are flowing from my eyes. We truly never know when someone will accept Christ in their life. Never give up and always be ready to share the love of Christ.
I know! Or what God will use. Thank you, Melissa.
Oh…
The sovereignty of our great God.
He does all things well.
Amen!! Thanks, Michele.
I take it that Justin was saved, which means he was able to join in the celebration as his birth mother sealed her meeting him again, with faith. My heart was moved to both sadness and elation in the midst of this post Ms. Debbie. What a vivid reminder that while we cannot know what plans God has for our lives, He can and will use all things for good if we’ll only let Him. Please shake Pastor Chuck’s hand for me when you see him next. Too few pastors offer an opportunity to seek salvation at a time with folks need it the most. God’s blessings folks.
Yes, Nikki told of his conversion and changed heart. He stumbled, but like Samson, he trusted Jesus.
What a powerful story and gift! Thanks so much for sharing that today. I needed to hear of a story like this today as our dear daughter-in-law needed to leave our son after Round 5 of chemo yesterday to fly to FL where her dad had a hemorrhagic stroke at the brain stem, is intubated and not seeming to humanly have good options.
Oh Pam, I’m so sorry. Your family has really had a tough year. I pray the Lord Jesus will shine for you in this darkness too.
Poignant, powerful and touching.
What a Savior! Thanks, Ann.
So like God. To redeem brokeness and use this tragedy as part of a story of restoration. He is so good.
Yes He is! Thanks, Barb.
What a beautiful story of love. Adoption, truly the loving option. So wonderful!
Thank you, Nancy.
Oh wow, so poignant and moving. Our God the amazing Redeemer – even in the bleakest of times.
Wemi, He is amazing, even in the bleakest of times. Hallelujah, what a Savior!
Out of tragedy God brings new life! He is, after all, the Great Redeemer! I’m sorry that his birth mother never got to meet him before he died but, now, one day they can meet! And what a glorious homecoming that will be! Is that picture in the middle of the two women the birth mom and adopted mom, Debbie? Just curious! đ I’ll be pinning and tweeting this for sure!
Yes, Beth. Nikki is on the left and the birth mother on the right. What a gift for these grieving mothers to have each other at this time. Only God.
Such a beautiful story! We have an unmarried granddaughter who is pregnant. Because she wouldnât abort the baby her boyfriend âdumpedâ her. She is planning to keep & raise this baby on her own. She has our familyâs full support.
Thank you for sharing this precious story of eternal salvation.
Lucille, that is a hard journey, but good for her for choosing to protect her child. Blessings on your family.
What an amazing story! God worked a wonderful miracle!
You certainly did, Kathy. Amazing grace!
What an amazing story of love! The two mothers have an eternal bond now. Justin’s birth mother gave him life and his death gives her eternal life. What a celebration there will be in Heaven when both mothers are united with son.
It sounds like a Hallmark story, doesn’t it. Thanks, Katherine.
If it ain’t good, it ain’t over. l love that assurance. Thank you for sharing the joy in the tragedy. Visiting today from the Recharge Wednesday link up. Have a beautiful day.
I do too, Marielle. Blessings to you.
Such a beautiful and hopeful story. Thank you for sharing this!
Thank you, Jed.
What a story! Thank you for sharing this. What a precious gift to both Justin and his birth mom…eternity together.
Amazing, isn’t it? Thanks, Jeanne.
What a story. God is always working and we just have no idea of his amazing plan.
Stephanie, won’t it be wonderful to see the whole picture when we get to heaven!
Thank you for sharing. I love how God brings good from even the worst situations. His birth mother may have never heard the gospel any other way. God used her son’s death to help her have an eternity in heaven. God certainly doesn’t waste our pain.
A severe mercy and amazing grace at the same time. Thanks, Joanna.