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Kokomo Kootsie
4/10/2003
Nibbles- Bits & Pieces
Jimmy
Once upon a time, long ago, there was a farm family in Indiana, who had more children in the house than they had live-stock in the barn.
Mealtime at the farmer's dinner table was not too unlike at the barn; first come, first served, and grab it quickly!
Everyone in the neighborhood helped out with clothing and foods for the growing family, as a baby was delivered as regularly as the mail.
The oldest, a girl named Abby, grew up, graduated from high school, met and married a man ten years her senior. He and his family had as little of this world's goods as her's had. They also had fewer babies!
Abby and Pete worked hard long hours at whatever was to be had, took care of his mother, his oldest sister's boy and girl, and over time, prospered. Much of their income found its way down to the farm for the still growing family.
When Abby's mother came to visit one week-end, she not only brought her youngest, a one year old girl, she carried one in her belly too! Every one frowned, whispered, joked about her continuous pregnancies. Abby's mother-in-law, wanted to make her mother some birth-control device; there evidently were not any on the market she trusted then!
Abortions were as scarce to find as hen's teeth and this lady would not have considered it, in any case.
So little Jimmy made his entrance into the world unheralded, and was the youngest of fifteen children-and so happened-the last! It was business as usual with this new baby, nothing any different than it had been for the other fourteen. He was the smallest of all the children.
The huge family grew, but didn't prosper. Some married; some did not. All the married ones had several children each, but none came close to their parents score.
Except Abby. She and her husband did not have children. Abby had been a surrogate mother for her brothers and sisters and all her life and wanted no more child raising. Her brothers and sisters were regular visitors, two and three at a time, and in vacation time spent weeks at a time. When they had children they brought them along too. When their children grew up, they then were always there. Abby and Pete were never alone!
When one of the girls married, had a baby boy, Harry, and divorced, Abby and Pete took him to raise as their own. Abby was back in business!
However, they adored this little red-head to the point of foolishness and spoiled him outrageously. He could do no wrong in their eyes. And he was not a pretty baby! He became the son they didn't have, should have had. He was a blessing to both, and never gave them any trouble, was as quiet and obedient as all of the brothers and sisters had always been; quiet, good children and good grown ups. The younger ones were a bit more modern, living in a far different world, than the one their older siblings had been born into and grew up in. But still, good children.
Little Jimmy, who never had the red carpet laid out for him when he entered the world, grew up and the years passed, as they will. The oldest Abby, was now a widow, no longer young and able to get about, care for everything as once was the case. Harry, their blessing, looked after her needs driving her about and shopping for her.
Then one day, Abby, became unable to leave her bed, and life no longer held interest for her anymore. The family knew she was dying. Her husband's family were concerned if she was a believer, if she was a born again Christian. They knew her husband had been one all his life. He was surely waiting for her in heaven.
Who would talk to Abby on her death bed, make sure she was saved? Jimmy! Little unsung Jimmy. He came to his oldest sister's bedside. He talked to her, prayed for her salvation for her soul, and finally she prayed with him. Jimmy was long a grown man-and he was a minister of the gospel! Jimmy brought his sister to salvation, so she could join her beloved husband in heaven!
Abby knew where she was going and died peacefully in her sleep, little brother, Jimmy by her bedside, holding her hand, keeping vigil.
If Jimmy had not been born, would Abby have missed out on eternal life? I think she would have.
There have been many little brothers, little Jimmys, who played out their role for God in the lives of others who may have been lost if they had not been born.
Do not under estimate the powers of our Lord; or in His mysterious ways.
Or in a 'little brother's' place in the scheme of things.
LINK
| EPM 2002 - 2005 |
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