The following is a story. A story about real life, real love, and the promise of redemption. Just so you'll be aware, this is a lengthy story. Not a story for those who are faint of heart. Not a story for those who like to judge others. Not a story for those who have no emotion. Not for those who are perfect. But for the rest of us....this is a story. This is the story of our brothers and sisters. Our mommy's and daddy's. Our friends and neighbors. The people we see and never talk to. This is you and me. Perhaps not in the exact same circumstance ...but this dear friend is indeed you and me.
There once was a man who loved a woman. He loved her so much that his very existence ached for her when they were apart. Everything about the couple seemed very normal. He was a well intending young man with a good job. She loved him so. Her appearance was that of a "normal" everyday girl. They loved each other dearly. Now, everyone who has been married for any length of time has realized that with your spouse comes their baggage. This particular young man took on the sins of her entire family. Something she was born in...literally. Drugs. Born with a monkey on her back. A monkey that never gave her rest. Her entire life was steeped in illegal narcotics from birth until....
This came with the package. Loving her and deciding to endure this battle with evil, the young man set off to start his life with his true love. They had a child not long after marriage. The monkey on her back has also given birth and so plagued her children. With an addiction like a ravenous wolf, and 2 more children later, the young man realized that he could not do it anymore. This thief has stolen and consumed his beautiful bride...his love. So he left. But because his love for her was so enduring, he found it hard to stay away. So he would come, and try, and then he would go. Another child was born.
His family stepped in and dedicated themselves to caring for these dear children who had only been exposed to confusion up to this point. A final fifth child was born. This child, once detoxed, was handed directly to a loving home ready to adopt. The father never even had the chance to see this child.
The mother, before even her 30th birthday, became ill. After going to the hospital she received reports of kidney and liver damage and was sent home. Soon after that she was found dead in her home.
The husband was broken. The children where in shock. With dead silence, only the sound of a tear falling from the face of a 9 year old girl could be heard.
Before the funeral took place, the girl stated that God did not want her mother to live in her addiction for ever, so that is why he took her. God was being gracious to her.
Of course, no one had the heart to tell her that her mother was not saved.
After the funeral was over, a chaplain came and found the young family....the father, 4 children and the grandmother. The chaplain introduced herself and began to tell the story of how while the mother was in the hospital just a few days earlier, she had called upon this chaplain for help. In that very moment the mother had given her heart and life to Christ.
The father now able to care for the children will be moving into a new family home. A home that will be steeped in God's love...in the tradition of forgiveness and endurance.
I think that a remnant remains. A remnant of the love of God displayed through an imperfect family...through a little girl who knew only what her heart told her...the remnant that God is faithful, even to those who seem less deserving. The fact is, we don't deserve God's love any more than this mother did. But we have it none the less. That remnant of love has remained. And will see it way through the generations of this family.
Grace for today....Hope for tomorrow.
Just think about that.
