"A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches." Proverbs 22:1
This is a story about . . . . ME!
When I was a little girl, like most children, I had a favorite bedtime story. I loved this story so much I wanted to hear it over and over again. It went like this . . . . Once upon a time there was a Pastor, his wife and two teenage daughters, who wanted to add a baby to their family, but the wife wasn't able to have any more children and the two daughters wanted a baby more than anything! So the parents, Cornie and Joan, told the girls it would take a miracle for them to add a baby to their family. These two girls, Eleanor and Joyce, decided to pray that God would send them a baby. These young girls faith was strong and they believed God had a baby just for them. They heard on the news one night that someone had found a baby at a garbage dump so on the next dump day they begged their Dad to let them go along. They were sure they would find their new baby there. To their disappointment all they found was garbage! Their next great plan was to get babysitting jobs and hope and pray that someone wanted to give their baby away. When all of this failed and they were so disappointed, Cornie and Joan told the girls to keep praying and have faith. One day, out of the clear blue, in October 1949, the phone rang in the Rientjes household. Joan was home alone and took the call. The ladies voice on the other end said, "You don't know me, but I heard your husband, Pastor Rientjes, on a Christian radio broadcast give your family's testimony about being missionaries in Alaska and having an orphanage there before you came to Bellevue, Washington. I am having a baby and my husband isn't the father so I would like you to adopt it. Would you be interested?" Joan almost dropped the phone before she replied, "Would we be interested? This could be the answer to our prayers!" Then, click! The lady hung up! Was this a joke, was this lady serious, would she call back? When Cornie came home Joan told him and they decided not to tell the girls and get their hopes up in case this might not be for real. Now it is November 1949 and the Rientjes family is at the breakfast table having their morning devotions. Joan is reading the Bible and has just read Romans 9:9. "For this is the word of promise. At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son." Ring, ring goes the phone! Joan jumps to answer it and the voice at the other end says, "This is Eva, your baby was born on the 22nd and it is ready for you to pick up. I am at the Sandpoint Naval Hospital. Please come as soon as possible!" Click and the call has ended! Joan goes back to the table with the amazing news! Our baby is ready to pick up! Cornie says, "I wonder if it is a boy or a girl?" To which Joan replies,"It is a girl and we are to name her Sara!" Cornie laughs and asks, "What makes you think that?" Joan says, "Think about it. We just read Romans 9:9 and it said Sara shall have a son. I believe God is telling us our baby is a girl and we are to name her Sara!" Cornie and the girls chuckle and say, "Maybe it's a boy!" A little later at the hospital, with much joy and anticipation, the Rientjes family go to Eva's room. They chat a bit and Eva says, "I want to tell you something. The baby is a girl and I gave her a name. You don't have to keep it, but I have five sons and I always wanted a little girl. I know I can't keep her, but I wanted to give her something, so I named her Saralee." Now you might say this is a coincidence . . . but our family believes it is divine providence!
The Rientjes Family
December 1949
Cornie, Joan, Eleanor, Joyce & Baby Saralee
My thoughts . . .
The name Saralee means Princess. My Heavenly Father is the King of Kings . . . therefore, I am a Princess to the King of Kings! It doesn't get any better than that!
Some Significant Adoptions
Moses: by Pharaoh's daughter Exodus 2:10 & Acts 7:21
Esther: by her Uncle Mordecai Esther 2:7 and 15
Jesus Christ: adopted by Joseph Luke 1:34-35 & Luke 2:48
All true believers in Jesus Christ: adopted by God John 1:12 Galatians 4:4-5 Ephesians 1:4-5
First and foremost I am overwhelmed that I am adopted by God and I am a child of the King! Next, I am thankful everyday that God, in His infinite wisdom, chose for me the most awesome family that only some could dream of having! I am blessed beyond measure!
When I created the heavens and the earth, I spoke them into being. When I created man, I formed him and breathed life into his nostrils. But you, woman, I fashioned after I breathed the breath of life into man because your nostrils are too delicate. I allowed a deep sleep to come over him so I could patiently and perfectly fashion you. Man was put to sleep so that he could not interfere with the creativity. From one bone, I fashioned you. I chose the bone that protects man's life. I chose the rib, which protects his heart and lungs and supports him, as you are meant to do. Around this one bone, I shaped you. I modeled you, created you perfectly and beautifully. Your characteristics are as the rib, strong yet delicate and fragile. You provide protection for the most delicate organ in man, his heart. His heart is the center of his being; his lungs hold the breath of life. The rib cage will allow itself to be broken before it will allow damage to the heart. Support man as the rib cage supports the body. You were not taken from his feet, to be under him;nor were you taken from his head, to be above him. You were taken from his side, to stand beside him and be held close to his side. You are my perfect angel. You are my beautiful little girl.You have grown to be a splendid woman of excellence, and my eyes fill when I see the virtues in your heart. Your eyes... don't change them. Your lips, how lovely when they part in prayer.Your nose, so perfect in form. Your hands, so gentle to touch.I've caressed your face in your deepest sleep. I've held your heart close to mine. Of all that lives and breathes, you are most like me. Adam walked with me in the cool of the day, yet he was lonely. He could not see me or touch me. He could only feel me.So everything I wanted Adam to share and experience with me,I fashioned in you; my holiness, my strength, my purity, my love, my protection and support. You are special because you are an extension of me. Man represents my image, woman my emotions. Together, you represent the totality of God. So men......treat women well. Love them, respect them, for they are fragile.
