|
"Say Hi to Jesus For Me": Forward by Pat Boone |
|
It was a shattering experience, like none other in my life. I became involved with the Monsons and their beautiful son. I hoped against hope (though I knew the events I was reading about had already become history), and finally I was sobbing uncontrollably. I put the book down, because I couldn’t bear it any longer. I came back to it, because I had to know the rest of the story. Within a moment I found myself sobbing out loud again. It was painful, it was heartrending, it was shattering. Then why would I want you to read it? Why would I want everybody, especially moms and dads to read this story? Because it’s beautiful. Because it’s true. Because it could happen to any of us. And mainly, because in this story you’ll meet Jesus. It’s his story, as well as Todd’s. He’s been through this valley, and he went through it again with the Monsons. Now when I read the 23rd Psalm, I have a much better sense of who the Good Shepherd is. I better understand the valley of the shadow of death and the rod and the staff that lead and comfort. As you’ll see, that’s why Gabriele wanted to tell this story. She’s not just weeping for her child, though she has the right to do that. She wants people to know the Shepherd who led her through this dark vale. It was this Shepherd who said in Luke 6:21: "Blessed (happy!) are ye that weep now; for ye shall laugh" (KJV) Jesus wept- and he wants us to. In Romans 12:15 he commands: "Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep" (KJV) Why? Well, I’m finding that, in all of God’s commandments, the directive is for our own good. We need to weep. I have been changed by Todd’s story. I feel closer to the Lord, and much more compassionate toward my brothers and sisters, and all those who suffer in any way. And more than ever, I despise the one "who comes but to rob, to kill and to destroy"- the accuser of the brethren, the father of all liars, the adversary of God. Satan is the author of death, the enemy of our souls, the source of evil. Reading this story has made me want, more than ever in my life, to have nothing at all to do with him. Surely this must be one of the reasons God allows suffering, even in innocent children. Didn’t he challenge Abraham to sacrifice his own firstborn son? Wasn’t that just a preview of a time when man’s sin would rob God himself of HIS firstborn? And if it weren’t for reminders all around us of the consequences and the dread price of sin, wouldn’t we all become complacent toward it? What can impress upon us more starkly the eternal horror of sin than the agony and death of an innocent child? Sadly, we NEED that price-tag held up before our eyes from time to time- and it’s written in real flesh and blood. But there’s a happy and triumphant aspect of this story, too. Jim Elliot, the missionary who was murdered by the same Auca Indians he went to serve, once said, "God is peopling heaven; should we deny him the laughter and joy of children there?" Jesus came into the house where the little girl had died and asked, "Why make ye this ado and weep? The damsel is not dead, but sleepeth" (Mark 5:39 KJV) He knew the child would arise, and he knew that he himself was to triumph over death, hell, and the grave, and that he would bring that child- and all who trust in him- into his own eternal home. He promises in Revelation 21:4 that there will be no weeping there. I’m looking forward to laughing with Jesus
and Todd and his folks. |