Thursday, October 08, 2009

For Such A Time As This: Update on "Sammy"

Yes, I am at Disney...but this news was too exciting not to share.

Sunday I posted about a disturbing situation I witnessed in a store in my town. Several of you were outraged, saddened and offered to pray. I want to tell you that the child in question is being picked up today!

A friend of mine who serves in a leadership role with our local DFCS took the situation to a meeting today to discuss with the group. The head of our region DFCS recognized the child's name and realized there was an open case. It 'just so happened' that as we returned to the hotel for our afternoon rest time I received a phone call and an e-mail about it. My account of what I witnessed in conjunction with information they already had was the confirmation needed to rescue "Sammy" from the situation.

Here's the really incredible God thing. I was catching up on Esther homework at the time and I had just read Joel 2:13-14 "Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love and He relents from sending calamity. Who knows? He may turn and have pity and leave behind a blessing." (NIV)

Praise God for hearing our prayers and as the Message version of the Joel passage says, "cancelling calamity."

If you read the original post, you will note I have now updated it to reflect a fictitious name. (This also necessitated hiding the comments.) Another God thing...I always protect the names of girls at the home. 'For some reason' I did not this time and it was her name that was recognized, leading to her removal. Yet another reminder that He knows our names.

THANK YOU for your prayers...and be encouraged to stand up for what is right--even if you feel powerless and like your part is too small to matter. This child will sleep safely tonight as a result of a series of events involving several different people speaking up for her. Different parts of the body fulfilled their roles in the positions God assigned them.

Awesome, isn't it?

36 comments:

Todd and Randi said...

Rejoicing with you in this great news!!

Ashley said...

Praising God b/c he works in the lives of others to produce good in this world! Have fun at Disney!

Unknown said...

That's wonderful! But how on earth were they able to really know that YOUR 'Sammy' and THEIR 'Sammy' was the same person?? Did you have a last name? It would be disturbing to think people could remove kids from homes based on first names and descriptions only.

Love Being A Nonny said...

Our God is an Awesome God!!!!!!!

Thanks for sharing this and thanks for being in-tune to the needs of others.

Kylie and crew. said...

Lord bless Sammy with an awesome foster home placement! I've been thinking about her and praying for her since it happened. God is good!!!

Jennifer said...

Just to clarify: it was an unusual name and I live in a very small town. I had a full physical description of mom, dad and child. Overheard talk of sibling and gender. Also had child's name and age.

MamaBear said...

What an incredible story! It encourages me in those moments when I feel powerless to do SOMETHING ... we just never know when our one small act of faith might be what God uses to do something big in the life of another.

Thanks for sharing this story.

Heather said...

hope you are enjoying disney. We are going over there on Saturday. Such a fun place and I'm sure your kids are wide eyed :)

Tracy said...

Thank you for sharing your heart. I will not be silent again when I see one in need of help. God used you to remind me to stand up for the helpless.

dee said...

Extremely awesome! To God be the glory!

Daree said...

Thank you Jesus! Thank you Jennifer!!! I am blessed to call you "friend"!

Prairie Rose said...

Amen! As a foster-mom-in-training, all I could think of is how I wanted to find her and bring her home and love her. Hopefully someone is doing exactly that right now.

LaQuetha said...

Praise God. He is so amazing!!!

Bailey's Leaf said...

Glad to hear about the great ending. Yes. God does know our names. It is a very good thing.

Pamela said...

Rejoicing with you! Also to say thanks for being the person who followed through, shared her heart, and was an example for all of us. We never know how God is going to use us when we are willing. To God be the glory.

Alicia said...

This is such an amazing story. Praise God!

When I read the original story, it reminded me of a lesson I once heard in an evangelism training I took in college. The leader was talking about how we should think of each life as a series of concentric circles that all need to be chipped away in order to get to the heart. We never know which circles are left when we meet someone. We may never see a change of heart because we might have just touched on the outtermost circle. Or we may be able to lead someone to Christ because of the way already paved before us. I always think of that and try not to get discouraged in situations like you were in - where we desperately want to make an impact in some way but aren't sure how and never get to see the outcome of our conversation/prayer/involvement. This addition to the story is such a blessing as oftentimes we don't get to witness the outcome.

Gosh is God good. Amazing.

Design from the Heart said...

Yea! I'm so happy you let us know about this little girl I hadn't been able to get her off my mind. God does answer prayers and He does care. I love reading your blog - I "met" you through Amy Beth (MinistrySoFab) who is actually one of my former middle school students.

Melissa in TN

The Better Me said...

Jennifer!!!!

I am CRYING as I read this. I work for DCAFS in FL and JUST KNEW this was not a good situation. I prayed for her all week and told the Lord that HE KNOWS HER and that he would protect her! my faith in the Lord is renewed ONCE AGAIN!~! PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :o) :o) :o)

have fun in disney!

you made my whole day. you don't even know! :o)

Unknown said...

Awesome Awesome AWESOME!!!

Liz said...

I have not stopped thinking and praying for "Sammy". What a wonderful outcome. Thank you for always being an advocate for others in need. I hope you have a great time with your family.

Taylor said...

This is amazing! Our God is amazing! He is the defender of the weak, He hears the cries of the humble, He does not forget His children... Lord, please forgive me for doubting You. Strengthen my faith, and thank You for being our Rescuer. In Jesus' name, amen.

Enjoy your time with your family!

::Taylor

mylifewith5kids said...

OH PRAISE THE LORD!!!! Will you be able to be one of the people that gets to LOVE ON her? Oh how I wish that I could!!

Arlene G said...

So happy to read this post...that post has stuck with me this week. I hope that poor child will flourish in another environment.

Christine said...

JMom, I came here from Amy Beth's blog a while ago and have been a lurker since... however, this gave me chills this morning and I couldn't not comment. Sammy's story touched me deeply. I prayed for her silent cries for help to be heard.

Thank you for the reminder that our Lord does know our name and he hears what we pray, say, and do.

Adam and Kimmy plus Reese! said...

That is phenomenal....there is no telling the suffering that this little girl will no longer have to endure because of this. I commend you on crossing the "line" between minding your own business and taking up for this little child.

You are an angel in disguise for this little one.

sharontidwell said...

I have prayed for this sweet girl ever since I read the post and was so disturbed by the story. She kept coming to mind and every time she did, I would stop and plead for her before our heavenly Father. What an encouragement to read this today. Our God is so good. I will continue to lift her up in prayer. Thank you for sharing..what a blessing your blog is.

davec777 said...

I prayed for her the night of your first post. Praise God - He works in mysterious ways!

Kelly @ Love Well said...

I have to admit -- I was so discouraged after reading your original post about Sammy. I feel so helpless when I see a horrible situation like that. It just turns my stomach. "Why the injustice, God! Intervene!"

And He did. Thank you so much for posting this happy ending. May God be HUGE in that sweet little girl's life. Thank you for doing your part, J. My faith is encouraged and strengthened.

Eleanor said...

WOW! This gives me chills! God is AMAZING!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Praise God!!!! Let's keep praying that Sammy find a home where she will be loved and valued and safe. He's definitely listening to our prayers!

Eunice T. said...

Wow!Praise the Lord! That's great news! I'm so glad that action was taken. God really does work in wonderful ways.

Kelly said...

Praise God!! I have chills and am awed once again at God's goodness. Who knew when you stopped at the Dollar Store what an impact that visit would have on this precious child's life. I was so saddened by your story and prayed for this child to be protected. Praise God! What a gift you have given in sharing this story.

Matt and Amy Snow said...

PRAISE THE LORD!!!! "For such a time as this" were you there! GOD is SO awesome! As we continue to pray for sweet Sammy, may He move in a mighty way to comfort her tonight. I pray she rests in a safe, loving home with foster parents who serve the Lord. Undoubtedly she is afraid, confused, and unsettled. Just think, she may even go to church for the first time this weekend. :-)

Linda said...

This news has made my day! I had told Amy to pray for "Sammy" and she will be as thrilled as I am. That one item that you purchased from the Dollar Tree is now worth more than any of us can comprehend. How would you have ever known that something so small would have actually been worth a life, one of God's children. Praise God for your presence in the Dollar Tree and your heart to see this situation through. Thank you for reminding us all that God does answer prayer!!! I will continue to pray for "Sammy", that the healing will begin in her life.
Enjoy the rest of your trip!

Bethany said...

Oh wow, thank goodness. Reading that story earlier (I'm late reading posts, what's new?!) I felt so bad for the little girl. What a good ending. Hopefully she will end up somewhere safe where she is truly loved.

Anonymous said...

I pray that the girl can some how know of the love that each of us feel for her.