A Salute to Teachers Who Love Our Children

The death of children and the bravery, care, and love of teachers who fell with them brought back to my mind a special teacher in my life when I watched my brother die.

I was 16 when my baby brother was diagnosed with terminal cancer. The day he was to die is as fresh as the thoughts of these dear little ones struck down too soon in Connecticut.

My parents thought it best I go to school the day of his fifth, and his last, surgery. Unable to shrink the tumor, the doctors' last hope was one more surgery with the forewarning that, except a miracle from God, my brother Ty would not come away from the operating table still breathing. My parents felt it was worth a try.

At 10:00 a.m Ty entered the operating room. I sat at my school desk, tears flooding my face, unable to control my pain. Mrs. Eastwood didn't know why I cried, she came to me and held me tight, and asked me to stay after class. Her words were tender and loving and her hugs were exactly what I needed on that saddest of days. When class was over, I went to her desk. She asked if I wanted to share why I was crying. I told her my brother was, most likely, dieing on that day. She cried with me and she held me close. I thank God for her. She was an angel sent from God.

I believe God was with the dear babies in those classrooms. I also believe the teachers did all they could to hold those precious ones tight. When they couldn't, I believe God sent His angels to shield them from the awfulness of this sinful world. God promises that He is with us always and that He never leaves us.

I know when I fought my own battle for life, God's love surrounded me. I felt peace that passes understanding when the medical world around me was in chaos. God says we have nothing to fear. I believe Him. I believe in the rampage, angels watched over the dieing babies and teachers.

There is good news at the end of my story. My brother lived! In November we celebrated his 48th birthday together.

Teachers and doctors can get a lot of negative garbage thrown at them. Not from me! I salute you! I thank God for you and the impact you have on the lives of little ones.

Thank You God that teachers and doctors and angels are used by you to comfort and give splashes of serenity when life is in turmoil. May Your Holy Spirit give comfort and hold tight those who mourn the death of their babies and their mommies and their brothers and sisters this day.

Do you have a teacher who impacted your life? I'd love to hear about him or her.

Warning: Don't Promote Your Book in an Ambulance!

Here's what not to do in an ambulance: Don't tell the EMT the name of my new book, We All Married Idiots, while he's inserting an IV. The dear man cracked up and I have three needle pokes to prove it.
It was comforting for my husband riding in the car behind observing everyone laughing in the ambulance. He figured I hadn't died. Phew!

Entering the ER, the EMT announced to the world, "She wrote a book and guess what it's called? We All Married Idiots!" It's pretty cool when your book is marketed in the emergency room by a kind EMT. I thank God for his compassion towards me and his passion for a book about idiots. (BTW, the EMTs were wonderful and skilled. My teeny veins were the issue.)

Don't worry. I'm all right. But for 15 minutes I thought my days on earth were done. Sudden and severe chest pain prompted a 911 call. My goal to never ride in an ambulance was laid to rest. A day in the ER laughing and crying through Marley and Me, while being poked by needles and skinned alive by the tape adhering a dozen heart monitor stickers to my body ended with the diagnosis of an esophogal spasm--an uncommon event that has the same symptoms as a heart attack (and should be treated like a heart attack--because it might be one).

I'm fine and I'm thankful. Thankful for John 3:16, "For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life."

Do you believe that? I do. And that belief and faith gives me assurance that had today been the day this idiot left earth, I'd be alive in Heaven celebrating Christmas with Jesus. What a blessed thought! It really is a splash of serenity to be ready to die.

Are you ready? That chest pain was sudden. It came with no warning. One day it will happen to each of us. Our life on earth will end.

In my book, We All Married Idiots, I make the case that we really are all idiots, but we don't have to be fools. Psalm 14:1 says "A fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'" It's all right to be an idiot, but don't be a fool.

Tests proved my heart is physically healthy. My belief in Jesus assures my heart is spiritually healthy. I'll continue an abundant life on earth knowing eternal life awaits!

I hope you have the best Christmas of your life and believe in the Baby in the Manger. He was no idiot. He is God. And on the cross He took the punishment for our sins so we idiots could be reconciled to God. Thanking God for His care and His great love for me and for you.

Merry Christmas!

Elaine

For Those Who Hurt on Mother's Day

On Mother's Day, not everyone is celebrating. Some are remembering children who send them flowers from Heaven. I've had the awesome privilege of sitting with mothers as their babies died. It's a sacred place where the presence of God is so evident--I felt I might touch Him. The loving arms of Jesus surround these dear parents as they let go and place their precious one back into the arms of The Precious One. In the most awful of life's imaginings, Peace that defies human understanding and could only come from God is experienced.

Why do babies die? Why do some live to be 94? I do not know. I do know we need not fear, because God ministers comfort we cannot understand.

This past winter, Reverend W. Emerson Ackerman went to live with Jesus. He was 94. He joins a baby named Beverly Maxine, gone to Heaven many years ago when she was two days old. Reverend Ackerman sat with Dr. and Mrs. David Reese as their beautiful blessing named Beverly returned to her Creator. He wrote a poem for Beverly's funeral. It touched my heart and I hope it will touch yours.

"We like to feel those infant cheeks,
Tho' ne'er to be by earthly mother caressed.
Yet, better still...
E'en now are nestled 'gainst our Savior's breast.

The tiny hands,
Tho' destined not for use in time's employ,
Yet, better still...
Do clap at each sinner's repentance with joy.

That unspoken voice,
Tho' not in earth's hue and cry to raise,
Yet, better still...
Will learn in Heaven our Lord's blest Name to praise.

We like to feel--yet because it's real
And our beloved Lord has willed it--to say,
'Tis not better...
It's best!'"

--Reverend W. Emerson Ackerman

I pray today for women who hurt: For those whose heart's desire for a child lies hollow in a barren womb, may Jesus fill your life with love and joy and contentment. For those suffering from their decision to abort an unborn, may you know that Jesus will forgive you and make you whole again. For moms whose children are estranged from them, may Jesus restore your relationship. For moms whose children walk in the ways of darkness, may Jesus grab hold of these children and place them on a straight path. For mothers who know the sting of the death of a child, may Jesus fill your empty heart with His comfort and peace.

Thank You for our children, Lord. I know they really belong to You, and You can take them back at any moment. May we not live in fear of that truth, but in trust. You assure us that if the worst happens, Your loving arms will carry us through difficult days. Everything under Heaven belongs to you. There couldn't be a better parent and that brings me peace.

May Jesus fill your days with His Serenity,

Elaine