Editor’s
journey
Outback
surprise
SPRINGFIELD, MO. — A few
years ago, my wife, Doree, phoned me at work and asked me to meet her for
dinner at Outback Steakhouse.
Before I had a chance to look at
the menu, she broke the news: “I’m pregnant.”
My breathing stopped.
“Are you sure?” I stammered.
She grinned and nodded. “Yes,
it was confirmed by the doctor.”
I took a deep breath and smiled
back. But I was in shock. This wasn’t supposed to happen to us. We already
had three daughters. I was 41 — I was sure I had changed my last diaper.
As Doree blushed with excitement,
images flashed through my mind: playpens, rattles, car seats, cribs, baby
showers, high chairs and more.
Elated and nervous at the same
time, I could hardly touch my meal, which eventually went home in a doggie
bag.
But as the months passed, my excitement
and anticipation grew. It was apparent this unexpected child was a special
gift from God.
I’m so thankful today we
have Haly-Jay. She’s brought such happiness to our home. Every time
I look into her blue eyes, I’m reminded that God demonstrated His love
to us by giving us another daughter.
More than 2,000 years ago, God
sent another Child. He sent His Son Jesus Christ, the greatest gift the world
had ever known. Born in a manger, Jesus came to offer us peace, joy and the
hope of salvation.
Unfortunately, some people view
Jesus as an inconvenience rather than a Savior. They can’t bring themselves
to believe He died on a cross for their sins so they can receive the gift
of eternal life. But that’s because they haven’t met Him. They
haven’t tried to talk to Him. They haven’t learned more about
Him by reading the Bible.
I hope that some who
read this magazine will talk to Jesus for the first time —
because He’s listening. He wants to have a relationship
with each person. If you haven’t begun a relationship with
Jesus, let me encourage you to follow the ABCs
of salvation.
This could be the greatest Christmas
you’ve ever had — because you’ll discover that we celebrate
more than the birth of a baby. We celebrate the birth of a Savior who came
to give us eternal life.
— Hal Donaldson
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