My Story of Rescue

My Story of Rescue

I was a lawyer because everyone told me that I would be good at it – studies, analysis, communication, people skills, love of history.

Six years into it I was doing a generalist job in a small rural town and enjoying with my wife Hilary our first child, our daughter Lauren. I was People’s Warden in the Anglican Church. I had made this change from the United Church (Methodist) at marriage. The form, decorum, architecture, eloquent Book of Common Prayer sold me on it.

But my wife was not happy and she met with some faithful Christian women who started to stir up a hunger for the “born again” experience. What followed was a sorry night for sin, a prayer of relinquishment, an obvious receipt of the Holy Ghost, and the reinforcing evidence of tongues. (Sometimes the transactions are almost concurrent, but not of necessity.)

I was nervous and perturbed. Her life seemed totally changed. Good on an entirely objective basis (good conversation, clean living, meaningful prayer, much opened Bible). But it creeped me out. I started recognizing a disgusting animosity in myself toward things of faith and toward Hilary (This was my beloved wife! So many interests in common through the years.)

Additionally the neighbour across the street, a Baptist, began to make me gag with his “niceness”. Certainly I was losing control over religion. It ceased to be that domesticated puppy over in the corner. There was life changing power or stupefying priestcraft in evidence, and I had to decide which one. All other family members were cautioning me about fanaticism, post-partem depression etc.

There was a battle going on inside me. Call it conviction of sin.

Some time before this I had had to accompany a woman client to Toronto by train for some litigation related interviews. She was sweet and petite and very much relying upon my hold on things in the case. On the return trip she ventured into the story of a Fall in a Garden (Adam and Eve) and the mess that it created for the human race. She then went on to describe the rescue accomplished by the Second Adam (Jesus) on a grizzly cross and through an empty tomb. (Romans 5: 12-21)

Oh, the seasons of the Christian year were well known to me, and the hymns and the Sunday School papers. But what about this matter of redemption? For years I had watched clients redeem themselves out of debt in the house mortgage market. I was really starting to think now about deliverance.

I had told my wife about this client and the two went on to develop a fast friendship. In fact Geri and her husband Allan were to become very patient and loving mentors in many areas of faith for both of us.

Then came the dawning realization that I was probably not the right man for a lifetime of advocacy and posturing in the law. I opened a Bible one day and read of the suffering Job and his heart’s cry to set matters straight with God through some sort of advocate (Job 9 talked of a daysman or mediator or standby as the desired remedy). Lights went on inside: “There is one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus”. I also delighted at the Bible account of Ruth and her "Kinsman-Redeemer" Boaz. (Venture to read all those four chapters.)

A holiday weekend had been planned at a Christian Conference in Kitchener. We were to go with Geri and Allan and others. This was to be my birthday gift to Hilary (July 22, 1982).

In the opening session a born again Catholic priest, with the amiable countenance of a leprechaun, spoke of his own career, doctorates, addictions and chronic depression, until those words thrilled his soul and brought life-changing relief: “Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again” (John 3: 7 alternate rendering “born from above”)

I was down the aisle, receiving encouragement, praying with some others, and passing through that miracle birth canal known as “repentance unto life” (Acts 11: 18).

In many ways surrounding that weekend and following I realized that people and providence and the Word of promise and the Holy Spirit had been drawing me to a new life and Master. Becoming a Christ one. Leaning on the fellowship of the Holy Ghost. Realizing more and more the love and sovereignty of God the Father.

It remains challenging, but I have the fighting chance and the Advocate.

Doug Blair…February 18, 2013

I suspected you had that story stored up in there somewhere. Love it!

Baby's Colic


He’s up again,
And crying for some cause
Best known to him.
His mother needs more rest.
So, it’s my turn.
And with him now
Some midnight oil will burn.

It’s such a mess:
My business gone to pot.
And awkward friends
Would rather stare.
“A lawyer in a stew.”
Some of them care.
A sharp young lawyer? Not.

The baby came.
And even in this squeeze
There is some joy.
A bright-eyed little boy
His sister takes in hand.
Yet times are rough.
It’s hard to understand.

We cuddle now.
And in the tattered sofa
Find some peace.
No longer squirming for release.
His eyes fast shut.
Like some pink toy.
I’d never harm the boy.

Alone, I lounge
To cadence of a clock.
But not alone.
Inside I hear Him talk.
The Holy One,
Assuring me
'I’d never harm you, Son.'


http://momentsmidstream.blogspot.ca/2009/05/babys-colic-1987.html

Lora I have added now all of this testimony to a page on my blog...Doug

http://justhappeneduponthis.wordpress.com/relinquish-now/

Awesome, I'll take a look see.