For Our Delivery
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave
Himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the
will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Galatians 1:3-5
I've got good news and bad news.
Although that expression is often a fact of life for many of us, for Stacie
Crimm it was a definite reality.
The bad news was Crimm had been told she couldn't have children. Period. End of
reading.
That is why at the age of 41 she was surprised to find out she was pregnant with
the child she had always wanted. You see, I told you there was bad news and good
news ...
and bad news.
That came when, a few months into her pregnancy, Crimm was told she had cancer
of the neck and head. For her there was a choice. Either she could have the
treatment that would save her life and end her unborn child's life, or she could
try to carry her child and forfeit her chance for a long life.
I would not hazard to ask you what you would do. You already know what you would
do.
Instead, let me tell you what Crimm did. She opted to forego the treatment and
give her child a chance for life.
Stacie Crimm died on September 11th. Before she did, from a hospital bed, she
had the opportunity of holding her tiny, baby girl -- Dottie Mae.
No matter what you may or may not have done in this lady's place, the truth is
this: one person died so another might live.
This, of course, is the story of our Savior. As St. Paul said, we have grace and
peace because -- according to God's will and promise -- Jesus gave Himself as
the ransom price to save us from our sins and deliver us from a whole wealth of
worldly evils.
Sacrificing your child for someone else is probably not what you would have
done, but it is the course our Lord took so that we might be saved.
Now I don't know as Dottie Mae grows up how she will feel about that which her
mother has done. I pray that you as you grow in faith may become ever more
appreciative of the gift of life, which is yours because Jesus Christ died so
you might live.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, the words "appreciation" and "thanksgiving" are too poor
to express what my heart feels for the ultimate gift of Your Son. Please read in
my heart the gratitude my tongue cannot express. This I pray in my Savior's
Name. Amen.
Oh, Lord, if it's possible, please keep a close eye on Dottie Mae until --
because of Your Son -- she meets her mother face to face. Amen.
Pastor Ken Klaus
Lutheran Hour Ministries http://www.lhm.org/
all rights reserved; not to be duplicated without permission.