"Encourage one another daily" (Hebrews 3:13).
A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.

"Now choose life, so that you and your children may live" (Deuteronomy 30:19). "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).

Several years ago 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 took a seat in his office and listened eagerly.

He shared of a young lady who moved out to California in the sixties. While living there she became pregnant. 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 was Matt, the very man who was now sharing his story with me.

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 request 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 relinguishing her right to privacy (which meant she was open to meeting him.) When he also provided a notarized, legal letter relinguishing 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 here in southcentral Pennsylvania. He and his wife have been blessed with two children. 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.

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,
 

Stephen C. Weber

December 2008 update: Brooksyne and I visited with Matt earlier this year and he is doing well, staying faithful to the Lord.

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. If you have a story you would like to share please share it with me.

More Life Stories 

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