As I read the story of Eric Noah-Wilson's sister (see www.Wineskins.blogspot.com/), I had to ponder again how children in the same family can turn out so differently. Eric is the manager and general domo of the ZoeGroup and is a wonderful husband, father and Jesus-follower. He ran away from his very disfunctional home at age 16--but fortunately encountered a family that eventually loved him out of his horrible memories. His sister Kristi, ran away from home at age 11--but found no one to help her. She took her life last month.
My husband grew up in a terrifically dysfunctional family--full of alcohol, verbal abuse, betrayal, and lies. Yet those who knew him described him as God's man--an educator, elder, wonderful father and husband. His salvation probably lay with his grandparents and aunt and uncle (Ralph and Ruby). His siblings were not so fortunate: one died of alchoholism, the other of cancer and a life full of unfulfilled dreams.
Eric and Sam could have easily have said "If only" when their lives were so dark--but they forged on. And it is hard not to ask,
:What if" about Kristi, and Sam's brother and sister. Life does not give us "what ifs", but God supplies courage and fortitude to the one who is open to help. And those who could help such people must stand in the gap.
God, thank you for Sam's grandparents (Back and Granny) and for Ralph and Ruby who recognized his distress and potential.
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