Crying Baby

n 1998 I was trying to figure out if this thing called faith, and the person of Jesus was for real. I listened to this song called The Potter's Hand and said to God, If you are really out there, then show me. I don't want to hear about from the guy up front, I want to know it from You. God used "the guy up front" in a few different churches to say something that was scripted from my own thoughts. When the statement was made I often times had a ...yeah, but what if...The "the guy up front" would say something like, for those of you who wonder what if, then he addressed my question. I was shocked. Even though it took nearly two years of questioning, doubting, and asking some wise people a lot of questions, I came to realize without a doubt that this thing called faith and the person of Jesus is for real. My life has never been the same and I have never looked back thinking I made a mistake by committing my life to Christ and asking Him to make something beautiful of it. I have desired to hear from God and be obedient to whatever He asks of me. In the beginning it was "easy" to follow. Then, a few years into my journey, I got on an airplane with a crying baby. I was several rows back but specifically heard God say, hold the baby. Now, I didn't hear an audible voice, it was first in my mind and then in my heart. My heart started pounding and I began to argue (two things I have often associated with God speaking), the baby began to really scream, the mom was working so hard at calming her. With my heart ready to pop from my chest, I said to God, I can't do it, can you find someone else. As soon as the thoughts left my mind, the man in the seat in front of her turned around, motioning to take the baby. The mom gladly relinquished the baby, the man put the baby on his chest and the baby fell fast asleep. I didn't feel guilty or ashamed that I didn't obey God but my heart was heavy because I knew I missed out on an adventure with God. I'd love to tell you that every time since then I have been obedient but that isn't the case. The following year I was on a plane to India and the baby behind me was throwing a fit. She was crying, kicking my seat, and then began to scream. I heard again, hold the baby. I argued, justified why that wasn't a good idea, and asked if there was anyone else. Again, another woman came along right after that, took the baby and the baby put her head on her shoulder and fell fast asleep. As I departed for Africa, Robin and I decided to read and do a small Bible study called What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa Teurkerst. I had read the book before and knew what I was in for and couldn't wait to get started. While sitting on the plane getting ready for take-off in London, I shared my crying baby story with Robin and said, "If I hear a crying baby this time I am going to be obedient!" Nervously I waited to hear the cry. Robin fell asleep and we began to taxi down the runway and sure enough a baby began to cry. I began the conversation with God and said if the baby continues to cry I will go. The baby was crying so hard I thought he would throw up. We lifted off and the wailing continued. I let God know that I needed the fasten seat belt sign to go off and then I would go. We were still ascending when the light went out. I was seated at the window but I wasn't going to let that stop me. I climbed over Robin and walked several rows back. There in a seat was a little guy just over 2 with a tear stained face, trying to catch his breath in between cries. I didn't care if the mom didn't speak any English, I just made the hand motion to pick up the baby. I told God, there is nothing in me that can make this baby calm down or fall asleep but I trust You can. The mom handed the baby to me and off we went. The baby tried for just a split second to go back but as I walked to the back of the plane...praying A LOT...the little guy stopped crying, put his arms around my neck, nestled his head onto my shoulder and allowed me to rock back and forth for nearly 20 minutes before he fell asleep. I delivered him back to his mom and we didn't hear a peep from him again. She said in very broken English, "Thank you." With a lump in my throat I walked away, climbed back over Robin and settled in for the flight. God has been so gracious with me over the years. I have always known him to be a God of second chances, this time He was my God of third chances. I am so glad He was so patient with me. He will never call us to something that He won't enable us to do. All the glory and honor and praise be to Him who can do all things!! Oh, sweet sisters, may I be a woman willing to say yes to God, and then watch how He accomplishes it!

Blessings,
Michelle