When God Made YOU, He Made A Miracle!

                                                   " When God made YOU,
                                    He made a MIRACLE!"
                                            -Bob Mitchell, Young Life Leader


I remember it as if it was yesterday. I was at Malibu, a Young Life camp in Canada. Young Life is a non-denominational Christian organization that reaches out and shares God's love to young people. I came to Malibu on the recommendation of a life-long friend, Judy Winn. Judy was several years older and almost insisted that I go. She convinced me, and she convinced my parents, that it would be the trip of a life-time, a life-changing trip. I had no idea, and she didn't mention, that Young Life was all about Jesus and His love for me.

When Judy made her case for me to go, I was a fourteen year old girl who was headed into ninth grade knowing full well that
I was very smart academically, but I imagined I would never, ever get married. I had a confident exterior, but only God could see how truly hurt I was on the inside.

I had been born with one "normal" hand and one smaller hand that really had no fingers and only a partial thumb. My grandchildren always tell their friends that I am like Nemo, with one smaller "lucky fin."

It wash't easy for my parents when I was born. They were shocked and hurt that I was so different. They blamed themselves, especially my Mom. My Dad left for three days and left her alone in the hospital to deal with the fact that the perfect baby they had imagined me to be, wasn't the reality they were faced with. They were hurt and scared.

But God knew. He knew even then. He knew that when He created me, and I was born on February 5th, 1947, that He had made a miracle.

He knew the path He had for me. He knew that my small hand would open doors into the hearts of those who were different physically and emotionally. He knew that I would certainly face challenges, but as I did so I would lean on Him for the strength that I didn't have on my own. He knew that He would be the hero in my life story. 

He knew that about me and He knows that about YOU!

I remember that night at Malibu when Bob Mitchell told me about Jesus. I remember how Bob told me that God loved me so much that He sent His son to die for me. He looked right at me, or so it seemed, and said...

          "When God made YOU, He made a miracle."

I was NOT a mistake. I was born as a darling baby who was just a little different. He loved me, no matter what. He would comfort my Mom and Dad and see us through. He would help me to be all He meant for me to be!

Yesterday, on my birthday, I celebrated 69 years on this amazing planet and 55 years knowing that God loves me!
I looked back, as Bert and I had lunch together, at how God has been faithful all of this time. He helped my Mom and Dad to know just what to do in raising me. He brought friends and loves and JOY beyond measure into the life of this grateful Nana. Beyond what I ever could have dreamed or imagined, He has walked this journey with me. And yesterday, as college students sang Happy Birthday, my adored hubby took me to lunch, and text messages and cards came to my door... it reminded me that I mattered. 

I was 69 years old and I was filled with such JOY.
Just like that night at Malibu when I asked Jesus into my heart.

I know for certain, that when God made me, He made a miracle!

Amen and Amen!

Today may you know, in your deepest heart of hearts, that 
when God made YOU, He made a mracle too!!

God Bless!
Love Linda