BALENTINE MEMOIRS

My life is a witness to vulgar grace - a grace that amazes as it offends.  A grace that pays the eager beaver who works all day long the same wages as the grinning drunk who shows up at ten till five.  A grace that hikes up the robe and runs breakneck toward the prodigal reeking of sin and wraps him up and decides to throw a party no ifs, ands, or buts.  A grace that raises bloodshot eyes to a dying thief's request - "Please, remember me" - and assures him, "You bet!"  A grace that is the pleasure of the Father, fleshed out in the carpenter Messiah, Jesus the Christ, who left His Father's side not for heaven's sake but for our sakes, yours and mine.  This vulgar grace is indiscriminate compassion.  It works without asking anything of us.  It's not cheap.  It's free, and as such will always be a banana peel for the orthodox foot and a fairy tale for the grown-up sensibility.  Grace is sufficient even though we huff and puff with all our migh...

Today we heard Simon's heartbeat.  With each beat Simon is fighting and saying, "I'm in here!"  I am so thankful for each day we have with Simon.  Living in the moment is pretty hard for me, but Simon is teaching me to enjoy and give thanks each minute as tomorrow is not certain.  Thank you, God, for allowing us to hear Simon's heartbeat today.  Tears of joy and relief streamed down my face as I heard each sweet beat.  It was such a gift.   Enjoy these few verses which are encouragement for me today.  The video of his heartbeat is also below (features my bump too!). ~Amy Matthew 6:34 34  “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. Psalm 118:24 24  This is the day that the Lord has made;      let us rejoice and be glad in it Isaiah 41:13 13...

Question 2: Why take an "open book" approach - sharing thoughts, struggles, and personal details - during this difficult time? Adam's answer: We opened up as soon as we learned of Simon's condition because we knew our loved ones needed to groan with us. We are too weak to do this alone. We also understand that there are plenty of others who suffer in silence, for various reasons, every day. We strongly believe in community and drawing on the support of others. We hope this might inspire others who are in struggles to do the same. Family, friends and our church community have been solid rocks for us. Our Bible study group (or community group) continues to be a safe place where we can work through the tangled web of sorrow and bear each other's burdens. I want those who read or hear our story to be comforted because we are comforted.  I pray my friends and family who are skeptics or non-believers will seek this peace we feel, and knock on this door of grace...