You would like Jamie

You would like Jamie, everyone does. Biker-girl-goes-Jesus, Jamie has a grace that allows her to smooth over the roughest of situations. Built like a pencil with swimmers shoulders, the grace in her heart spills out and frames her physique as well. She is a fun chick, the kind of person you give special assignments to at parties. “Jamie, see that couple over there? Well, his house just burned down, he lost his job and his wife is ready to leave him. Could you watch them for me and make sure they feel at home?” By the end of the evening the couple would be laughing, meeting Jamie at church on Sunday, and going to her Pastor’s small group the following week. That is Jamie.

If you were Jamie’s friend, you would know that she is the single mother of two children. The unwanted divorce was a few years ago now and she still walks with a bit of a limp. You would know she is an excellent mother and that she has had to fight for every star on her chart. We have spent many nights together on the phone, laughing, trouble-shooting behaviors in the children, crying out to Jesus in prayer and just plain crying. Being one of Jamie’s mentors is like having a squirrel on speed living in your backyard, when she breaks through the back door you are always pleased she has stopped by, but never quite sure what her presence will usher into your life. Jamie’s life is intense and high impact.

Like any person who has been transformed by Jesus, Jamie is unaware of the things that make her truly lovely. She called this morning, breathing happiness, to share her Mother’s day story. Jamie's church has a heart for mothers. The church is lead by energetic young man, who shepherds the church and is principal of their Christian school. Pastor knows the trials of parenting so it was not surprise he asked the single mothers to stand up this morning in order to receive special prayers and a blessing. What was a surprise was the love offering he asked the congregation to give these women as a token of support. Jamie called to share the joy she was feeling at the unexpected gift.

The most delightful part of the story though, came after the service. Jamie's son, had watched his mother go up for prayer, but was puzzled that his grandmother, who had suffered a divorce in the past year, had not stood up to be included. Distressing family events had made him keenly aware that his grandmother now walked under the “single parent family” banner that flew above his own. More than that, he knew his mother had received a present but Grandma did not. The cause-of-the-underdog flows strongly through this nine year olds veins. He did what came naturally to his heart. “Grandma, I don’t have money, but here, I want to give you my pinball game.” And with that, he pulled out his videogame, faithful companion in the fight against boredom and placed it in Grandma’s hands. Understandably, Grandma became a puddle and the problem was solved.

It is moments like these that make me melt for Jesus. I have spent hours listening to this woman of God weep over her short comings and her inability to be a father to her son. I have prayed with her as she has walked over the hot sands of divorce with her Lord. I have watched as broken and alone she has wondered if Jesus and her mother’s love is enough to keep her son safe. The gift to her on this Mother’s Day is the answer “yes.”
Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right. Proverbs 20:11
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11