“Gotcha” by Cate Ange
Gotcha!
The atmosphere was rife with excitement- the day had finally come! The judge had said the battle was over, it was finished, and he was theirs. The day they’d been anticipating and waiting for had finally arrived- he officially joined the family. The day they got him….and he them.
We had the treat of going to our friend’s house to celebrate their son. It was his “Gotcha” party. They were celebrating the fact that their fight to adopt him was successful. You see, it had been a long, arduous struggle. There was considerable ugliness that had to be gone through in order to rescue this boy from the dark, dangerous environment where he lived. He did not have all the good things or security that a child should have. Even at a very young age, he lived in a fretful, worried state.
Why fight for a little boy? Why not turn away? Why not just leave it be?
Because they loved him.
Simple as that.
Love.
Love drove them to do whatever it took to rescue this child and make him their own. The court battles, the financial sacrifice. These were only two of the hurdles they had to jump through to raise another child. Theirs were already grown and out of the house, you see. Yet there wasn’t anything that would prevent them from going after this child to save him. To give him a better life. A life full of love and family. A secure life. An abundant life.
When we arrived, all the trappings one would expect at a summer pool party for a 6-year-old boy were in place. There was swimming, games, pizza and prizes. There were balloons and music and bubbles! And of course water guns to squirt and splash an unsuspecting guest. There was a bouncy house with a super water slide full of children – and adults! Shrieks of laughter punctuated the air- Pure joy! Such a sight to behold.
The gifts were not what you would expect however. This jubilant child has asked for donations to support his 5 favorite charities instead of another toy or game. Three of whose mission is all about helping children who aren’t as fortunate as he. He innately realized that he’s been given all that he needs. He has a forever family. Instead of wanting to have more for himself, he wants to share what he has with others…
Sound familiar?
“But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son… that we might receive adoption to sonship.” – Galatians 4:5
Why?
Love.
“For God so loved the world that He sent his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”- John 3:16
Simple as that.
HE came and rescued us. God put on skin and came down to offer Himself as the perfect sacrifice since He knew there was no way we could make it back to him on our own. We didn’t even know we needed rescuing! Yet He fought to free us. And what awesome- yet gruesome- fight it was to pay the full price for us to be adopted! Only love would go to that extreme. Only love could claim victory. Only love will do whatever it took to say, “It is finished.”
“After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled…. He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.”- John 19:28; 30b
But just think!
There’s more!
The Bible tells us that the angels rejoice when even one of us turns to God to change our heart and life. (Luke 15:10) God’s angels throw a party each and every time!!
Even better than that– it also tells us that the Father himself runs to greet us and that He welcomes us with a huge hug and a kiss! Imagine what a bear hug THAT is!
Then He throws a party! Nothing else would do! And only a party with the best of everything will do to celebrate the arrival of a child! (Luke 15:20-24)
Imagine!
What did your “Gotcha Party” look like? Did the angels celebrate with a super water slide and bouncy houses? Was there pizza and games and prizes? Balloons? Music? Bubbles? Water guns? Try and envision the excitement! The pure joy! I’m sure there were shrieks of laughter that day! And the whole celestial celebration was set in motion by your heavenly Father who is ultimate Creator of true life- and laughter. He brings abundant life. A life of love and family. A life forever secure and eternal. A life you want to share with others….to those less fortunate, to those who need what you have.
” Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 29:19-20
Have the angels rejoiced over you? If not, they love to party from what I understand! You simply must decide to come home. “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” (Romans 10:9-10) That’s all it takes.
It’s as simple as that.
Why?
Love.
I sure hope that one day I’ll get to see the pictures of the party that was thrown for me. Til then I’ll just imagine the fun and share with others what I have. I’m sure glad someone shared with me.
What gifts have you received that He wants you to share with others? Does your joy spill over and splash on those around you? We have Living Water inside us….may we sprinkle that refreshing, renewing, life giving Jesus wherever we go.
Written by~Cate Ange
Cate is a Huntsville native with a passion for Jesus and a love of encouraging and reaching others for Him any way she can. Cate has been called a “gatherer of women from all over the city”. In her role as the Education Institute Coordinator at Hospice Family Care, Cate’s enthusiasm to help everyone live life well, wherever they find themselves, shines through whenever she speaks. Her position merges her talents of teaching and relationship building with her zeal for ministering to both the young and old alike. Those who know Cate are happily amused to hear she gets paid to talk and raise awareness regarding topics and issues she is passionate about throughout the community. They wonder how she fell into such an amazing opportunity! In other words, Cate talks a lot and is a blessed girl indeed! An avid foodie, incurable problem solver, lifelong coffeeholic, and unapologetic escalator of fun, Cate and her husband, Jay, along with their two lively teens live a very full—but never dull- life!
7 Comments
Awesome job!!
Love you sister.
Well done Cate.
That was super, Cate! Thankful for my Jesus loving, thoughtful and kind and always there when you need her friend! Keep doing what you do, cause you do it well! ❤?
I thoroughly enjoyed your article, keep them coming! You truly have a gift of writing.
Love this!!
Cate, I love this message for several reasons: it is REAL; it is truth; it is beautifully written (?). I am so proud of you!