Fleeing Kindness

“Or do you presume on the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” (Romans 2: 4)

“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days.” (Deut. 30: 19-20)

Talk about Scripture taking on flesh and blood! Yesterday Maribel exploded again, and then she packed up her things and Fernando and clearly chose death, fleeing the kindness she could not embrace. Our comfort is in knowing that she is God’s child now. We witnessed and participated in the “prayer of salvation,” and what a beautiful moment it was! However, sanctification is a process, not by any means instantaneous, and the 25 years of rejection, betrayal, abuse and exploitation will have to be healed one decision at a time. Yesterday Maribel could not trust God or us and walked away from kindness, unconditional love, regular meals, a comfortable bed, good medical care, friendship, spiritual encouragement . . . and walked towards poverty, danger (there is a contract on her life), a possible relapse for Fernando into life-threatening illnesses (he’s had pneumonia twice already), brutal relationships, and everything else that living on the street can mean. Praise God for the “Hound of Heaven”! I am so sad today, but trusting in Jesus, the God of our Salvation. He loves Maribel and Fernando even more than we do, and I pray that she will meet Him at every turn.

In typical Maribel fashion, she screamed insults at us, threatened to have us all murdered (and our children, too), bit Mary, accused us of wanting to steal Fernando from her, etc. etc. etc. – and then asked for a ride to the bus station. I had to smile when she asked me for jalon (a ride). I gave her a lift to the bus stop, and then after she’d found some hole to live in, she came back to Casa Lamb and asked Amanda to give her another ride with all her stuff. When Amanda dropped her at the bus stop, she asked if she could pray for Fernando. Maribel gave permission, and Amanda whipped out her water bottle and baptized Fernando! Now that was a Holy Spirit moment for sure!

Most of us can’t imagine fleeing kindness. We welcome Love with open hearts. But most of us have not had to endure the suffering that Maribel has had to endure, and it has been continuous and profound. She feels more at home with hunger and fear.

Today by faith I am hoping in Christ for Maribel and Fernando. Please join me. They are part of our Kingdom family now and desperately need our prayers.