Sweet 16
Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 10:22PM The other day, I heard Amanda on the phone with Erin. She was telling Erin about her previous conversation with Vena. As it turns out, Amanda, Erin, and Vena were working together to plan a birthday party for Randi. It was Randi's Sweet 16.
Are Amanda, Erin, and Vena related to Randi? No. Except, of course, through their Lord Jesus Christ, who sets the lonely in families...who gives mothers to the motherless and fathers to the fatherless.
You see, Randi has not had the easiest life. A year ago, she lived with Amanda and me for a month, before moving to Jackson and Erin's for another month. Her sister, Kaylee, lived with Chris and Maria for roughly twice that amount of time. Her other sister, Chyenne, has basically been adopted by Greg and Vena.
And here we were, celebrating her birthday at Jackson and Erin's (after going out to dinner at Olive Garden).
Have the things these freaks have done undone the effects of this fallen world for Randi? No.
Is Randi perfectly happy, feeling God's love everyday and believing in him without any doubts of His goodness? Unfortunately not.
But when I look at the picture above, I see a glimmer of hope. When I closed my eyes at Jackson and Erin's and listened to the laughter, I heard hope.
Jesus is hope for people through churchlife. He is hope for people by providing a family that goes beyond blood and transcends rational behavior.
I have never seen tongues of fire like in Acts. I have never seen a loaf of bread feed 5,000 like in John. But I have seen miracles, and they have come from living with freaks. And I have hope because of it.
Reader Comments (2)
I'm SO glad this worked out. I know Amanda was worried it might get nixed. But it looks like Randi had a great time, and that is wonderful.
Well said, brother. Well said.
Our God has a big heart...and we know it better when we join Him.