Twenty-six years ago on a Sunday morning, we were preparing to pack up two preschoolers: Kristen and Jeremy and head to First Church of God in Kansas City KS where we were pastoring a few more months prior to venturing with four other families to establish a new place for these Olathe families to bring their friends who were far from God. The dream was that they would find a safe, inviting atmosphere where they would experience the love of Jesus Christ and dare to believe it for themselves!
But there was a stirring and I knew it was about time to head to the hospital for the birth of our third child! Gary called a couple of friends to care for Jeremy and Kristen. Since this was our third child we had experienced the fact that I had a track record of a long laboring day prior to delivering the other two children! So Gary knew he had time to check me in at Shawnee Mission Medical Center and then go to preach the message God had placed on his heart for the First Church of God in Kansas City Kansas and then rejoin me at the hospital in plenty of time! And besides there wasn't a plan B. He was THE Pastor!
I settled in for what I knew was a long stay and kissed Gary, who promised to return as soon as he had shared the message. And sure enough when he came back I was in the same postiion. Finally, the doctor made an appearance and was surprised at my lack of progress for a full day's work. He said, This is your third baby! You should be better at this by now!" Now that was encouraging! Anyway, he talked me into an epiderial and I am grateful!
Joshua Luke Kendall was born before 6:30 p.m. that Sunday evening! What a beautiful baby boy! kristen and Jeremy were delighted and in awe of their new perspective playmate! They came to visit and to hold him before he was a day old and have been his adoring fans ever since! God is so good to give us family!
Gary and I had pondered over what to name this special child as names were important to us! Prophetically, though we didn't know, we selected Joshua because of the strong courageous leader in the Bible by the same name. We didn't yet know how appropriate that name would be! But Luke's heavenly Father certainly did! He knew Luke and all of his days before a one of them came to be! With a brother named Jeremy, we thought Joshua would be a great fit. However someone warned us that there were many children already with J names. So we compromised because we loved the name LUKE and the Biblicall recorder and witness of the life of Jesus, we decided we would name him Joshua but utilize his middle name, Luke to address him daily. Sounded great at the moment but we had no idea the frustration in the school system to have a first name but use your middle name instead!
Joshua Luke Kendall, we have loved you from the beginning! Yes, before you were born! We believe that you were knitted together in my womb and that you are fearfully and wonderfully made! We believe that you have a heavenly Father who knows every hair on your head and who had great plans for you, to give you a future and a hope! We believe that He knew when were were selecting your name, Joshua that you would be a courageous and passionate leader after His own heart! He also know that like your namesake LUKE, the doctor who followed Jesus, you would have a sensitive and compassionate heart for hurting people to find their way to a God who cares and heals!
We are so excited for you as you follow your heart and God's call on your life to venture to the city, Chicago to join Mission Church in just a few months! What a courageous venture! But then would we really expect less? What a joy to witness God sharing your heart to His! We are excited and know that it must be Him calling you! We know how much you would rather go somewhere warm and sunny, like Phoenix! However, I will never forget a conversation we had once when you were several years younger. You were asking but not really asking me when you pondered aloud, "Mom, why do I love the city so much?"
I don't think it was my response because I am just not that clever but I think it was God's, "Luke, I think you love the city because that is where all the people are!"
Simple but how true for you! God has entrusted you with a great love and an ever greater gift with people! Luke, you have never met a stranger and we observed that from the time you could talk! You LOVE to engage people! You are not afraid to tell them what is on your mind--good or bad. God will use that but will also temper that! You are easy to be around and fun to hang with! You are an adventurer and an explorer. You are an encourager who thrives on encouragement!
We are so grateful for Rachel and the incredible vibrant lifegiver, life partner she is! We know that God has entrusted her to you to share life and His journey as one!
We know that 26 years seems old to you today but what a beautiful age to be starting a new venture together with one who loves you by your side and the Holy Spirit who encourages you inside of you and a God who created you to be SENT by Him on purpose and mission! You were born for this life! We love you and are cheering you on!
What a beautiful mother giving wonderful praise to her son, to her family! :) I enjoyed reading your post, and Thank God for you Belinda, Gary, and Your family! Luke when you go to Chicago, please help save my family. :) Thank you.
Posted by: Joanie | June 02, 2011 at 03:24 PM
Perfectly stated Sister. Luke is a gift from God to all of us.
Posted by: Jon DeWitt | June 03, 2011 at 09:45 AM