Two Reflections ~ One Life

This was originally posted in April 2007

As I gaze at my husband’s face, I see the reflection of my mother in law in his life, her gentle touch, her warm embrace and her love for God and His word. But I also see the smile of another woman who laid her hands on her belly and thanked God for her unborn child.
Over forty one years ago, two sisters living not far from each other, both pregnant with their third child, but their lives and circumstances were miles apart. The older sister in her mid twenties was happily married and a new Christian. The younger sister was in her early twenties, separated from her estranged husband and expecting a baby from a man who was not her husband. Both were confronted with a very difficult and heart wrenching choice. A choice made by two women that only God could orchestrate. A choice made by each mother that no matter which way you looked at it, hearts would rejoice and hearts would feel pain.
The choice of a younger sister to give her baby to be adopted by her older sister was one in which she made knowing fully that her own future would not prove to be the best for this unborn child she carried in her womb. Her older sister by only a few years, also carrying new life in her womb, along with the love and support of her husband made the choice to adopt this child as their own. A decision, I am sure was done by the leading of the Holy Spirit for this young couple, but also filled with questions by curious on lookers.
Over forty years later this baby, whose life was forever changed by the loving choice of two women, is now sharing the gospel every week to hundreds of people, a husband to his wife for over twenty years and a loving father to five children. Both women sacrificed a great deal in order that he may experience life and the salvation of Jesus Christ.
My mother in law, the older sister, has reflected Christ to me through her love and willingness to give freely of herself and adopt a baby boy and bring new life not only to him but to his future all while expecting her own child. She was willing to put herself aside and become a living sacrifice unto the Lord. My mother and father in law proudly share that they were there at his birth and carefully swaddled this new bundle and took him home from the hospital. His younger sister was born just five weeks later.
Every year, as I celebrate the death and resurrection of my Lord and Savior and his willingness to go to the cross for me in order that I may have new life, I can't help but think of these two women. No they would never want to be compared to Christ in any way, for they both know from where their hope comes from, but I am so grateful that they were willing to put their fears aside and follow the plan that God had laid before them. Thank you Sara, my beautiful mother in law, for being a reflection of Him; And thank you Jessie, for trusting God with his life.