Wow! Just wow! Not two days after I posted the previous blog, Karen on My Mind, one of my Facebook friends, who was also a teenager in the church I referenced, read the blog, emailed me about it, and suggested I check out a certain Karen on Facebook to see if it was her. I did and it was. After all these years of having no idea if Karen was alive or dead or where she might live, God has allowed us to reconnect with one another again. That’s good news!
Here’s even better news: Karen is doing well. After years of being up and down, in the hospital and out, Karen is feeling pretty stable these days. And what’s more, she’s walking with Jesus and active in her church. (Pardon me for a minute while I step away from the computer and do a couple of cartwheels, a somersault, and a cheerleader jump in praise to God.) Words are sort of my business, but I can’t find enough words or the right words to express my praise and thanksgiving to God for His good work in Karen’s life. I do think of a Scripture that seems to apply: “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6).
Is this a great story or what? Even though it was hard to see all those years ago, Karen built her life on the Rock, and even the storms of abuse and rejection and heartache and loneliness couldn’t knock her down. Well, they might have knocked her down, but they couldn’t knock her out. It’s as if Jesus came to Karen in her storms and said, “Devil, you can’t have Karen. She’s my girl. I love her. I’ve saved her. I’m for her. I’m with her. And I’m going to keep her forever.”
Here’s even better news: Karen is doing well. After years of being up and down, in the hospital and out, Karen is feeling pretty stable these days. And what’s more, she’s walking with Jesus and active in her church. (Pardon me for a minute while I step away from the computer and do a couple of cartwheels, a somersault, and a cheerleader jump in praise to God.) Words are sort of my business, but I can’t find enough words or the right words to express my praise and thanksgiving to God for His good work in Karen’s life. I do think of a Scripture that seems to apply: “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6).
Is this a great story or what? Even though it was hard to see all those years ago, Karen built her life on the Rock, and even the storms of abuse and rejection and heartache and loneliness couldn’t knock her down. Well, they might have knocked her down, but they couldn’t knock her out. It’s as if Jesus came to Karen in her storms and said, “Devil, you can’t have Karen. She’s my girl. I love her. I’ve saved her. I’m for her. I’m with her. And I’m going to keep her forever.”
So, if you feel like a Karen in this world, be encouraged: God has a hope and a future for you. And if you're reaching out to some Karen in this world, don't doubt for a minute the mercy and power of God to save and to keep in spite of all the obstacles that must be overcome.
Like I said, I’ve got no words to express my praise, but the psalmist does, so I’ll borrow his: “O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! And his steadfast love endures forever.”
WOW!! This is incredible! Praise be to God! The same Abba, Father, who shielded Karen from the "storm of life" has done the same for me and so many others! May we only share His gospel in our feeble attempt to be more like Him! Thanks so much for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteOh John I know Karen feels the love in her heart and prays for you too. Many times we just don't know who we touch and are responsible for bringing to Jesus but He certainly knows and for you two to once again connect and with such a good and positive outcome is just an added blessing. Thank you for sharing this amazing story with us. And for all the bad press that FB sometimes gets, it sure has helped connect many souls. I recently located a first cousin I'd not seen in 50 years and a beloved and estranged only nephew not see by any of us for 14 years by my Facebook searching.
ReplyDeleteGreat news!
ReplyDeleteWow! What a story with an incredible "ending"! There have been numerous Karens that have come in & out of my life working with teenagers for several years & I found myself relating to you grately, Dad, in part 1--wanting so much to reach out, connect, help them make friends. Thank you for the encouragement. It renews my hope that God is STILL at work & he doesn't NEED ME. :)
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU FOR UPDATING THIS POST. IT IS A GREAT
ReplyDeleteJOY TO HEAR SOMETHING POSITIVE ABOUT KAREN.
SISTER.
“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6).
ReplyDeleteI read your blog and I found so much comfort in the scripture verse. It gives me hope for the future for my "Karen". God has not and will not forget His own!