But I can MAKE something out of that!

[Cow Poke]

My oldest daughter did something many Pastors have experienced as a tremendous heartache. She ran away when she was 17 and got pregnant. It was a really tough time, but before she gave birth, she called and asked if she could come back home. I went and got her, brought her home, and shortly thereafter, Heidi was born.

The moment I saw Heidi, I knew this was a very special kid, and would need lots of love and guidance. She lived in our house the first 5 years of her life, and we loved and nurtured her, and taught her about Jesus. One thing we noticed as Heidi played was that she had a "gift" for building and making things. She would find toys, shoes, tools, stickers, pieces of paper... anything.... and assemble them into spaceships, airplanes, boats, houses, forts.... her imagination was really impressive.

We got a new washing machine, and, naturally, she wanted the box. She drew doors and windows on it with a marker, and asked me to cut them out. I was impressed that she had figured out that "hinges" were necessary, and she told me to be sure "don't cut here!"

What became kind of a joke around the house was when we would try to throw away a piece of cardboard or oatmeal box or just about anything, Heidi would very expressively yell..... "But I can MAKE something out of that!" And she would! I was constantly amazed at the things she could "make out of that!"

And it became one of my favorite sermons. When Jesus saw tempestuous Peter, it's like he said, "I can MAKE something out of that!" When Jesus met the woman at the well... "I can MAKE something out of that!" When Jesus saw my heartbreak as my closest brother died of cancer, it's like Jesus comforted me with "I can MaKE something out of that".

And some 40 years ago, Jesus looked down at a little fat kid with glasses and said, "I can MAKE something out of that". And he's been working on me ever since.

As the world seems to throw people on the garbage pile of life, and we discard people or ignore people who really need love and hope, Jesus is still in the business of seeing them and wanting us to understand "I can MAKE something out of that!"

I'm so glad that Jesus can take the "garbage" of this world, including ME, and "MAKE something out of that".

[mossrose]

Thank you for this, my brother. I love your stories!

And I know for sure God is still working on me, too.

[Cow Poke]

Thank you for this, my brother. I love your stories!

And I know for sure God is still working on me, too.

Heidi is now 15 years old -- hard to believe. STILL quite the "artistic" kid - always working on a project, scrap book, science project....

She went through some pretty scary "rebellion" at 12-14, but REALLY has "come around", and is just a delightful sweet loving kid.

Her mommy is the one I've written about before, my "prodigal daughter", who is doing MUCH better than before, but still seems to have to do everything the hard way. She has NOT been a good testimony to Heidi, and we've had to do as much as we can to offset that. But there's always hope, and as I pray for the mess Chrissy has made of HER life, I STILL believe "Jesus can MAKE something out of that!"

Thanks, Moss!

[mossrose]

It's interesting to look back and see how God places us in situations that are just untenable at the time, and look at the path He uses to bring us through them. I am sure that Heidi, and Chrissy, are thankful for your presence in their lives as parents and grandparents. And they would likely be in a much worse mess if not for your loving handling of the whole situation.

[Sparko]

Great story CP!!!

I was a bit like Heidi when I was a kid. I used to love building stuff, doing crafts, making models, blowing things up with my chemistry set.

...no I am not a mad bomber.

[Enow]

On the flip side of that are the ones that society would highly esteem: looks, social status, and money. How many stories have we heard about the vanity of such a life? People that live it will often experience the fair weathered friends that fall away when they fall from such a height: being disfigured in a car accident, having a public scandel, or just being reduced to poverty. Some may have even experienced all three.

When life seems to come to an end and there seems to be no point in continuing on living, that is when they need to know that Jesus can make something out of that.

Matthew 6: 30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

My life is over, but I am seeing what Jesus is doing with my life. Although I desire to depart to be free from my oppressors, He shall walk me through this valley of death.

People that hear Psalm 23rd at funerals should know that the words are for the living.

Psalm 23:1The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.