(Be sure to read Rooted first :). )
As I lay on the operating bed in the final step of ensuring my funky chromosomes would never taint a zygote, I prayed aloud (the doctors had stepped out of the room), “God, you are here. You are here. Though there is some sadness here, you are here. Thank you for the chance to birth Henley. Thank you for my body doin’ its miraculous thing. You called Garrett and I as co-creators, and I thank you. Thank you for Henley. Use me, Lord, Use our family however you see fit. I know you have work for me to do. May I see and love every child at the church as one of my own, especially the Bluebonnet Children. Oh, the Bluebonnet Children! You are here, Lord, and I feel that you want me to shift my focus now on birthing their book. Lord, if I am misguided, redirect me; but yes-I need to, I must birth a book for the Bluebonnet Children, I-” my intercessory moment was interrupted by the doctor entering the room, and the peace of Christ filled me.
The local church has become my bustling house full of jovial, high-energy children,and Henley June feels just as much at home there as I do. She was named after the one and only poem by a brit named William Henley who wrote of having an unconquerable soul and a country singer who loved hard (what a combo, no?). Her namesake has painted the lens through which I see the children I serve,especially the Bluebonnet Children.
Just recently a fifth-grade boy from a very troubled home came bounding down the hall, “Miss Meg! You walked by me without giving me a hug.” Disclaimer: I am not really a hugger. I’m more of a shoulder-tap-kind-of person; which this boy could care less about and gave me the biggest bear hug ever. As he hugged me, I prayed within, “Dear God, despite all odds, give him an unconquerable soul, may our church work so hard at loving him that his soil does not stand a chance at defining him.”
Pray, pray, pray! Pray fervently for the Bluebonnet Children in your midst. Not only does prayer sustain you and your church family as you serve, but from it will bloom the most resilient and faithful disciples. Build up those Bluebonnet Children, church! Seek ‘em out, invite ‘em in, pray ‘em up, and teach ‘em to stand firm on the Truth expressed by the apostle Paul:
Questions to Ponder
- Is there a part of your story that forever altered your perspective in ministry? What fruit has been born from this mentality shift?
- How could your story offer a healing touch to another? A fellow teammate? A child? A family member? An acquaintance you have yet to meet?
- What would happen if the Bluebonnet Child in your midst knew you prayed for him/her? How might he/she act if he/she knew you earnestly believed he/she was more than a conqueror through Christ?
Stay tuned for the rest of the story! Be sure to subscribe to the right. 😁
Can’t wait that long? Own The Bluebonnet Child eBook now!
✌Meg