Saturday, January 14, 2012

For One Little Girl

I have been meditating and writing about obedience the past ten days or so, as God led me to study what this means for my life in the coming year.  In doing so, I shared last week about "radical obedience" and what I think that means....."Doing what God says, obeying Him when it does NOT make sense."  Trusting God even when we do not understand.

Last week I mentioned my friend, Linny from A Place Called Simplicity and the radical obedience I have observed in her life. Linny and Dw have a passion for the orphans and believe that God has asked them to adopt children and help those in Uganda who are in need of not only parents who can love them, but food and medical care.  Dw is also a pastor, and he and others have held leaderships conferences in Uganda to help pastors there who want to further their education and help their own congregations.  They have 11 children that grace their family, and 4 more children in Uganda who as young adults call them mom and dad.

About 8 months ago Dw and their daughter Emma met little Ruby Grace when they visited one of the orphanages in Uganda.  She was severely ill with hydrocephalus and other health issues and in need of medical care.  Dw told the head of the orphanage that they would do whatever they could to make sure she had the medical care she needed.  He came back home to an email asking that if they meant that would do anything they could,  would they adopt Ruby Grace and give here the care she needed?  After praying about it, of course they said yes.  Fast forward (after all this is their story) to today.  Ruby just had her 5th brain surgery yesterday, 4 of those taking place in Phoenix.  They have to live within an hour of a highly trained neurosurgeon and facility in order to get Ruby the care she needs. Stop over and read how God has orchestrated the best doctors and even the best machine to help her brain heal. Here



Now here is where the radical obedience came in.  Their home, until a few weeks ago, was in Durango Colorado where Dw was Senior Pastor of a congregation and Linny also was on staff.  They lived in a newly built home with a view of the Rockies and were active in their church and community. 

God had other plans.

When they were in Uganda talking with the neurosurgeon who did Ruby's first surgery, he told Linny they would need to always live near specialized medical care.  This really shook up their life as they had no idea what was really involved in raising a child with hydrocephalus.   By the time they were able to get Ruby home to the states they flew right in to Phoenix and she went right into the hospital to begin the surgeries needed to help her survive and thrive.  Dw. was at home with the rest of the family, telling his congregation that he was resigning and they were all moving to Phoenix as God had led them.  For one little girl....the whole family was moving.....Dw was letting go of his job as a pastor.....and they were venturing out from the Rockies to the desert and big city...for one little girl. 

No job, no place to live, no secure future.....for one little girl. 



Radical obedience.  And how God has guided, shaped, and blessed this family in response to their obedience and His plans for Ruby (and the rest of the family) will humble you and knock your socks off at the same time.  They can use your prayers!

I am already learning more than I ever imagined about obedience and what the Bible shares on this subject ~ and in just 10 days too.  I was a bit apprehensive about what God would ask me to be obedient in......  but now I am looking forward with anticipation (well, most of the time anyway) ~KNOWING that God has a plan for my life and He and He alone knows what is best. I look forward to what He will show me in the written Word and in the lives of others and ourselves.  I just ask God for the strength to obey even when it does not make sense.


Stop over and visit Charlotte at Spiritual Sundays to read inspirational posts or link up your own.

6 comments:

Charlotte said...

Wow! That is a powerful story and example of obedience. I will anxiously await any updates. I prayed for Ruby Grace today before I knew the whole story. What a blessing and privilege it is to be a part of this journey they are on, if only through support in prayer.

Renee said...

Thanks for coming by Charlotte.....I feel privileged to be part of Ruby's journey too. God bless.

Pamela said...

I'm so happy you shared Ruby's story. It touched my heart -- made me wish I was young again. But God has a "radical obedience" for us regardless of our age.

Renee said...

Thanks for coming by Pamela...I feel the same way, Pamela...it was such a big part of our lives too...but now...now within our limitations of age, and health, we are still required to have radical obedience aren't we....I needed to hear this today...that God will use us right where we are.

Charlotte said...

Wow, this is truly amazing. You don't find that kind of faith every day. Thank you for sharing this wonderful example of radical obedience.
Blessings,
Charlotte

Kim said...

Renee, I read this on my phone yesterday and I was blown away. What an amazing example of radical obedience. I have to admit I want to be radically obedient so badly, but I get stuck between wanting that and wanting to live "wisely" because I'm in such debt... Of course I think I just end up living unwisely then because I'm thinking about myself! What a great example in this amazing family. And how blessed is that little girl.