“Encourage one another daily” (Hebrews
Free email subscription
Listen
Information Resources Custom Christian Art Music
****************************************
“Matt’s Story”
“Since
you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide
me. Free me from the trap that is set
for me, for you are my refuge” (Psalm 31:3,4).
During the course of my work I walked into
an office to greet a man. Matt shook my
hand and asked me to have a seat. “I don’t know if I’ve ever shared my story
with you” he began. Indeed he hadn’t and I am always very interested in the
various testimonies people have, so I listened eagerly.
A young lady moved out to California in the
sixties. While living there she was raped, which resulted in a pregnancy. She
moved back to Pennsylvania shamed, disgraced and broken. Her parents placed her
in a distant home for unwed mothers. She gave birth to an infant son and gave
him up for adoption. However the baby had a serious muscular disorder and it
was feared he would never walk. He was placed in foster care where he spent the
first year of his life before he was finally adopted. This baby is Matt.
His adoptive parents were not Christians at that
time, but when he was still small first his mother and then his father accepted
Christ. He himself accepted the Lord at an early age.
When Matt was in college he did a report in a
communication class on post-adoption syndrome versus post-abortion syndrome,
which sparked an interest in locating his birth mother. He went to his adoptive
parents and shared with them of this interest and they gave him their blessing
to proceed.
He went to the adoption agency but it had been a
closed adoption and thus the identity of his birth mother was sealed.
Nevertheless he proceeded with a quest to find information regarding general,
non-specific health issues and in going through the records they found out that
a legal document was on file from his birth mother dismissing her right to
privacy (which meant she was open to meeting him.) When he also provided a
notarized, legal letter dismissing his right to privacy the door was open for a
meeting.
However in pursuing the matter he was told that she
had a terminal illness and was not expected to live much longer. There was a
concern regarding the emotional impact of having a meeting under these
circumstances. But he chose to go through with the meeting and a week later met
her in the office of the agency. They immediately connected and the meeting
lasted 6 hours! Matt found out that since his birth she also had become a Christian,
had married and had three boys, who of course were his half-brothers.
She lived for a number of years following this and
prior to her death Matt developed a wonderful relationship with her that he
describes as a “deep friendship”. His
birth mother and his adoptive mother also became friends! She was present for his wedding, which was
the last time she was able to get out before her death. Prior to her passing
Matt specifically told her, “I am so thankful you gave up nine months of your
life that I might have life.”
This story is, of course, Matt’s personal
testimony. He is now the executive vice president of a large company. He and
his wife are expecting their first child next month. I have his permission and blessing
to share his story. His earnest prayer is that all who read it will be deeply
impacted by God’s redeeming power.
Here in the United States today is the 31st
annual observance of a Supreme Court decision in which it was determined that a
“right to abortion” was in this country’s constitution (according to the
court). This is one of many significant events that indicate this country’s
long slide into moral and spiritual decadence. As I type this thousands are
gathering in frigid Washington about 100 miles south of where I live to
peacefully protest this decision (a protest I have been to many times).
Matt’s story is an inspiration today for all
readers who recognize that, regardless of the circumstances of their birth,
that “life” is a gift from God. His
redemptive work in each of our lives reminds us that we are “fearfully and
wonderfully made” (Psalm 139). All of
God’s works are wonderful and His countless blessings include deliverance from
the trap the enemy sets as we take refuge in Him. We are not victims but rather
become victorious over the enemy’s plot.
Satan has a plot, God has a plan!
Be encouraged today,
Here are some responses
I have received to Matt's story
I would be especially pleased to hear of similar
testimonies of God’s deliverance in the midst of seemingly hopeless situations.
Merely send to this address
****************************************
FREE EMAIL
SUBSCRIPTION To have the "
****************************************
****************************************