Grace in Action

Today is my sister-in-law Marie's birthday. My sister-in-law is an amazing woman. I always tell people that she could be on a talk show to tell her life story and bring the crowd to tears. Oprah would probably make her wildest dreams come true. Ty would give her a house. Amy Grant would give all three wishes. It's that kind of story.

She is amazing because she never quits. And because she has learned that God's way is best.

Marie was just sixteen years old when she became pregnant with her first child. When her step-father found out, he made her move out of the house to make her own way. She continued going to school, got a job and in the middle of her Senior year delivered her baby six weeks early. She finished her courses and graduated that June. The baby's father did what he could to help. He had previously been involved in gangs and his past eventually caught up with him. Two years after the baby was born he was shot and killed by a member of his own former gang. Marie had come to know the Lord as her Savior sometime before his death. She met another boy that had previous gang ties also. Most of the young men in Southwest Detroit have access to be in a gang if they choose. Being a new Christian she was doing her best. But she wasn't growing. She got pregnant again and had a little boy. She wanted to be loved and thought this boy would help her feel that way. Two years later she had another boy. Her boyfriend was sent to jail around then. She says it is because God wanted her away from her boyfriend because she knew her relationship was wrong. God worked in her life during that time and started attending a good bible believing church. She found fellowship there. She was growing. But she got pregnant again and had her fourth child, a sweet little girl. Before you judge her remember sin is sin. Some sins just have more obvious consequences. She kept going to church. She worked hard trying to build a business so she could take care of her kids. But it was hard with so many little ones. She went bankrupt and lost her house and van. Her boyfriend was then released from jail and he started hanging around again to see the kids. Eventually Marie got pregnant again with her fifth child. The week after she found out her boyfriend was shot and killed. It was one of the most difficult things I have ever seen anyone go through. She was strong for her children. She took one month off of school and then continued determined to finish to make a better life for her kids.

God has given her amazing grace and strength. She had changed so much in the last two years. She is involved in her church and could start a bus ministry herself is she had a bus!

Marie has taught me so much through her life and testimony. God is so great and loving and forgiving. No matter what we do He will always love us and will take are of all our needs.

She doesn't need Oprah or Ty to grant her wishes or fulfil her dreams. She has a God that wants us to have more than we can ever dream of if we would just ask.

Have a Happy Birthday Marie!