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/
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