E.T. Is Getting Married

20 winters ago a little foster baby came into our lives. She was born with a number of birth difficulties, including a severe brain bleed. She also came with difficult legal issues and it took 18 months to sort them all out. She had a big forehead and big eyes and Kathy and I nicknamed her E.T. Her birth mom was 14 and a birth father was not identified. Each evening I took on the responsibility of putting Nicole to sleep. Many evenings during that first winter I would light the gas logs in our family room and hold her, pray over her, talk to her, and generally have a wonderful time with this "little lady". She would snuggle into my arms and get comfortable. I don't know who enjoyed this time more, her or me. More than once I agonized over the fact that she didn't have a birth daddy that knew about her, or cared. One night, as I was praying over her, I felt the distinct impression in my mind that when I prayed words like "be a daddy to Nicole because she doesn't have one", the Holy Spirit whispered to me, "you are her daddy, just like I am your daddy". That was significant to me for a couple of reasons. One, it helped me understand that for the moment, I was indeed being a dad to Nicole and she was safe and secure in our home, and second, I needed the reinforcement that God was allowing me to see Him in a more intimate and personal way. I have always struggled with my image of God. Most times He was a distant God, able to do all that His word told me, and interested in me, but from a distance. I always felt like I was part of huge crowd in His presence. That evening, in the warmth of a fire warmed winter night, God became Daddy to me. I felt like He was there with just Nicole and I, letting us know just how much he loved us and cared for us. That memory will be one that will always be a highlight.

For some reason, babies grow up. We have really enjoyed watching Nicole grow. She has become a delightful young lady. Several weeks ago, her boyfriend and I had a private chat that confirmed what Kathy and I had been feeling for some time. On Easter Sunday, Nicole showed us a beautiful engagement ring and she and Nick announced that she had accepted his proposal for marriage. Since then, this daddy's emotions have run the gamut from being very happy, to the sadness of picturing our home without Nicole. I have already shed plenty of tears, both happy and sad, with more to come, I'm sure, as the fall date gets closer. We have been blessed to raise E.T. I have been proud to be her daddy.

Resurrection - Breaking Bonds

The Easter season impacts us differently, depending on where we are in life, and what our present circumstances might be. For instance, last night, the last scripture that was read as we left the Good Friday service at St. John Lutheran was, And regarding the question, friends, that has come up about what happens to those already dead and buried, we don't want you in the dark any longer. First off, you must not carry on over them like people who have nothing to look forward to, as if the grave were the last word. Since Jesus died and broke loose from the grave, God will most certainly bring back to life those who died in Jesus. (from THE MESSAGE) I know this passage well, and normally would have enjoyed hearing it, but it wouldn't have affected me anymore than any other Bible passage. However, since my father went to Heaven on March 17th, twenty days later, this verse really had an emotional effect on me. The takeaway moment for me, was my renewed faith that I will see him again in Heaven. Tears of sadness mingled with tears of joy.

For many people, Easter Sunday will be their obligatory church attendance day. Perhaps they are feeling pressure from a parent, or spouse, or a child. Others will be in church, like they normally are, but preoccupied with with life events surrounding their jobs, or families or other things that prevent them from fully appreciating the tremendous hope we have in Christ's resurrection. Others will be there who are struggling with the power and bondage of something that they cannot deal with. Even though these people have heard the sermons and read the scriptures about God's complete forgiveness and unmerited favor, they cannot break free of the bondage they feel. I love a verse of the wonderful Charles Wesley hymn, O For A Thousand Tongues, that says,
           He breaks the power of canceled sin,
           He sets the prisoner free;
           His blood can make the foulest clean,
           His blood availed for me.

I pray that tomorrow, during the illustrated sermons, special music, drama, and other Easter special features, that the Resurrected Christ, who Himself was bound in grave clothes and set free by the power of the Resurrection, will have the opportunity to birth freedom and new life into many people who have come to their church services under crippling bondage. I pray that people who have confessed their sin hundreds of times, only to return to it again and again, will pray their final confession and leave the sanctuary a free person, with their bonds left behind to remind Satan that he is the loser. 

The early church would greet each other with the words He Is Risen, and the other person would respond, He Is Risen, Indeed. My Christ, indeed, be risen in the lives of many people tomorrow.

92 + 1 = Pricless

Yesterday, we had a grand celebration of my father's life. With pictures, songs, prayers and shared memories, we thanked God for his life and influence on us all. Today, we'll celebrate the 1st birthday of his newest great-granddaughter, Norah Grace Peter. And so, the cycle of life goes on. Sixty five years ago, Two people who fell in love, got married, and begin a cycle of life that resulted in a room full of people sharing the goodness of God, embodied in one of his creations. Today, that cycle continues, because in a few years, this beautiful 1 year old will fall in love, and the cycle will begin all over again.

My dad loved talking about heaven. While he was very "down to earth," he was also very "heavenly minded." As some of us were talking yesterday, we talked about the reunions that have already taken place. Undoubtedly, my dad has spent time with his mother, and step-father (who raised him), and his birth dad who passed away when my dad was two years old. He has probably been introduced to their parents and grandparents, uncles and aunts, and many other people who are there. Sometime during the past few days, I think my dad felt a tug on his sleeve. He looked down into five little faces that he had never seen before. Two of these are grandchildren that were miscarried by my sister, Lori, and my wife, Kathy. A few years ago Kathy was directing our choir, singing a song about heaven. During a solo section, she closed her eyes and saw a quick vision of her grandmother walking toward her, hand-in-hand with a three or four year old red headed little girl. Kathy knew she was seeing the daughter we never had the chance to meet. The other three children tugging at Papa's sleeve are great-grandchildren, twins that our daughter Aimee lost a couple of years ago, and a baby that our son Jason and his wife, Jennie, miscarried. What fun they must have had at that first reunion.

The Bible tells us that we will know each other in Heaven.What wonderful reunions we will have. I know that Jesus will take great delight in watching us spend time together, and then all of us spending time in His presence, as we worship and thank Him for "preparing us a place." Later today, we'll celebrate a 1st birthday, we'll laugh and enjoy Norah destroy her cake, and we'll thank God again for my father. Sometime during the day I will probably shed some more tears, but it will be okay, because I'll also think about that little red head who's probably walking hand-in-hand with her Papa.