I had sat here, crying. I had sat here in hopelessness, despair and sorrow, grieving for my prodigal. But, you oh Lord, had other plans for me TODAY.  But, before the last post was finished posting, You sent resurrection life to ME and replaced my sorrow, with Your Joy and Your faithfulness. 

My sister Donna sent a text~ "If Jeannie comes home today, please tell her happy birthday from us!!!"

My sister Susan, received the email notification alert.  She called from her cell phone. "Barb, all I could see, because I am driving is, "Today is my daughter's 21st birthday...."  I could not speak for a moment. But, then, I read to her what I had blogged through a tight throat and tears and she brought me hope from You.  I will have to paraphrase, but this is what she gave to me, from You.

Today, I choose to throw off my sackcloth and ashes. Today, I ask that you allow me to walk in Your love and Your faithfulness. Today, Lord allow my body to be a living sacrifice as you ARE. And, allow Your grace & mercy that You intended for me today, to be poured out on my daughter for her salvation. Lord remind her today of where she came from.

Jeannie Marie. Such a beautiful name. Your name is the female form of  John, who was the beloved of Jesus. The name Marie is the name of our Lord's mother. But, you were named for the grandmother that you never knew and my favorite aunt that you did know.

Your grandmother Imogene "Jean" was orphaned at the age of three. She had a hard life, not unlike you. But, she loved. She loved her sister, Dorothy and she loved her brother, Tommy.  And, although they were raised in the same orphanage, they were apart because of their ages. She never knew the love of a mother but she rose above the hardships of her own life and became a loving mother to her own children. She was not perfect, but God used her imperfections to teach her own children humility. She was taken from this world way too soon for our likings, but her departure caused her children to seek the face of God for purpose.  It is not a coincidence that ALL of her children have come to know the saving grace of Christ. I believe that before she left this earth, that she cried out to the Lord, "Lord, please save my children."

Your great-aunt Elsie Marie, did not like her first name.  She often told me that she wished that her parents had named her Marie, first. She loved the name, Marie, as did I. Aunt Elsie Marie knew God.  She had more faith in His power and grace than anyone that I know.  She trusted God with her life, and she too left this earth sooner than I would have desired. But, in His perfect timing. Just as my mama had left to be with the Lord, God gave me Aunt Elsie, as a representative of His love through her.  I don't have a lot of memories of my mama.  But, what I have are memories of hugs and instructions for life. Mama, loved her children. I have these same memories of my Aunt Elsie. She also gave me instructions for life. She never gave up on people. Even in the face of others disapproval and scorn, she stood firm in her love for me.  She showed me His love. But, she wasn't perfect either, but the Lord that she served IS.

The whole point of this blog today, Jeannie Marie, is to remind you of the love that your daddy and I, and your brother have for you. Your FAMILY loves you.  We won't enable you to continue to live outside of God's plan and purpose, but, WE LOVE YOU. We pray for you. We ask for divine influence in your life to bring you to the cross, so that His plans and purposes for your life will be fulfilled. We have abundant grace and mercy that has been received on deposit from on High.  My prayer for you today is that it not only be a celebration of your birthday, but that TODAY you would receive, as the greatest gift of all, new birth and the resurrection life of Christ to fill the void that only He can fill.  Happy Birthday Jeannie Marie!  I hope that today, You remember your 21st birthday as "The Day that God Called My Name & Rescued Me From The Pit".

Psalms 30~1 A Psalm of David. A Song at the dedication of the Temple. I will extol thee, O LORD, for thou hast drawn me up, and hast not let my foes rejoice over me. 2 O LORD my God, I cried to thee for help, and thou hast healed me. 3 O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from Sheol, restored me to life from among those gone down to the Pit. 4 Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. 5 For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. 6 As for me, I said in my prosperity, "I shall never be moved." 7 By thy favor, O LORD, thou hadst established me as a strong mountain; thou didst hide thy face, I was dismayed. 8 To thee, O LORD, I cried; and to the LORD I made supplication: 9 "What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the Pit? Will the dust praise thee? Will it tell of thy faithfulness? 10 Hear, O LORD, and be gracious to me! O LORD, be thou my helper!" 11 Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing; thou hast loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness, 12 that my soul may praise thee and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to thee for ever.