"Upsetting the "normal" while creating the beautiful." Annette Kruschek |
In a rural and poor city; in the backroom of a overpacked and understaffed orphanage God handpicked an "outcast"; an "unlikely" child an "underdog"... he chose my daughter, Evelyn Li. It's both a privilege and honor but it comes with a great responsibility. As I sit at the foot of her bed and watch God use her I know that my responsibility comes from not preaching about God but rather allowing you all into our lives to watch God work through her. As each hour passes while sitting at the foot of her bed I can't shake the feeling that Evelyn is one of the "chosen" that God uses. In the Bible you will encounter people God chose. God seldom chose those who are most likely to succeed; they had flaws, weaknesses and impossible odds. Why them? Why Evelyn? Here's my theory about Evelyn... a malnourished 18 month old baby living in the backroom of an orphanage. A child seemingly forgotten. A child with scars and complexities that are far beyond our comprehension. God laid the groundwork far before my eyes met with hers. God knew my heart. He knew what put a fire in my belly. God and Evelyn teamed up because he knew about my big mouth and knew that I would let the world know about this little "underdog". God knew that this little underdog would be collecting unbelievers, those of little faith, the tired, the worn, the ones who feel forgotten. He knew that I would make sure that God gets the credit and the glory.
If I had a dollar for every time I heard, "I didn't think it was possible". "we can't really explain it" I would be the richest girl in this hospital right now. From the beginning with Evelyn's expedited paperwork for her adoption to the marathon heart surgery which entailed seven heart surgeries in one day... God chose a child with terrible odds of surviving and gave all of you a front row seat to watch him use an unlikely hero to bring believers into his kingdom. As I sit at the foot of Evelyn's bed right now and I watch the glow of the sunset pour into her hospital room I feel the presence of God so strongly. Evelyn and God have given me some of the greatest of sunsets in the past two months. My Mom came to me in a dream which involved naming our new home, Sunset Acres. Heaven is definitely getting my attention these days. As I sit at the foot of her bed today I see a child who so bravely accepted God's invitation to be used. That is brave!! Speaking from experience it's one of the scariest statements I have ever made with God. Dan and I have accepted similar invitations to be used by him. Whenever Dan and I make a decision that outwardly looks "reckless"; it's a decision that doesn't come from our desire to be impulsive but it's a result from giving up our human control and agreeing to have HIM use US. I always count on God to guide our steps. He has the manual to living a bold life. As I write this I am looking at a child who came home at 13 lbs. and was considered "inoperable". I look at a child who endured an 18 hour surgery which entailed seven open heart surgeries. I look at a child who has the brightest of surgeons and staff scratching their heads and telling us how this is unchartered territory. As each hour passes and with each person who enters this room I am reminded how Evelyn's invitation to say yes to God to be used is working. She accepted a big assignment and she is doing just as God had asked. "Be still and know..." Her job write now is to continue to be still in order for God to achieve the greatness he has planned for her. He is moving in her life while also moving in all the lives who are following her story. The underdog, the unlikely... Evelyn Li. Thank you for accepting God's invitation to be used to the greatest of degrees. Your life is changing lives. Thank you for allowing me to be a vessel to share your story. Accept God's invitation. Say yes to something that seems "reckless". Be a part of something bigger than you could ever imagine. Be used by God because once you do you will never be the same. In honor of Evelyn, take that risk and yes to God.
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AuthorI am a proud Mother to eight children and a wife to my very best friend. I work hard, play hard and love until it hurts. Archives
January 2023
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