Proof of Identity

Do you ever have a day that you feel you are running around in circles? Like a little hamster in a cage, you ventured onto that wheel and it's spinning endlessly. Randy Stonehill used to sing a song entitled, "Stop the World, I want to get off". That was my day yesterday.

My morning started great. With nothing pressing on my agenda, and my sister helping over at my parents, my son and I enjoyed a relaxing morning. Just prior to lunch I decided that we should head over to the Health Care offices. My son had recently turned 16 years of age, and therefore required a new photo Health Card.

While completing the paperwork at home, we discovered that some documents were required that he didn't yet possess. He needed "Proof of Identity". Examples were cited of documents that would fulfill this requirement, but unfortunately my son didn't have any of these papers. A "Passport" was listed as one of the acceptable pieces of identification, so we decided to start the ball rolling to acquire a passport. After all, if I'm working on my family to consider a week of holidays in North Carolina the end of next July, that would just 'happen' to coincide with the "She Speaks" conference, it wouldn't hurt to be prepared. :o)

We went to the nearest photo lab and within minutes he had his picture in hand. My son completed all the written forms....until we suddenly came to the very same requirement..."Proof of Identity". We seemed to be up against a brick wall. Again my son owned nothing in this identical list of options. I decided to phone the Passport Office and ask for assistance.

I was talking to a kind young man who quickly told me that if my son had a signed Library Card, the Passport office would accept this as "Proof of Identity". Yay! Now we were making progress. My son and I quickly rounded up all the necessary forms and headed to the neighbouring city to submit the information for his Passport so that in another couple of weeks we'd have the required "Proof of Identity" to complete the Health Card forms.

All was going great at the Passport office until the young lady behind the counter saw my son's library card. She politely informed us that a signature on a library card was't acceptable proof of identity. I explained to her that I had just called the office and been told that a library card would be valid. She checked with a supervisor on duty and came back to report that they couldn't accept it as it wasn't issued by the government. She asked for a Health Card. I felt like I was caught in the pages of the children's book, "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie". Here we were so diligently trying to comply with the rules and wishes of others, but caught in a vicious circle, each one requiring the completed paperwork of the other.

So, now here we were again. Back to square one. If it wasn't so frustrating, it would have been comical. I had to have "Proof of Identity" and yet my son was standing right there beside me...was that not identity enough? I was envisioning our entire adventure as a television sitcom. I'm sure "Seinfeld" could do an hilarious episode based on these escapades. I however, wasn't laughing. Didn't the Lord know I had been rather busy lately? Didn't He know I had this day to get some things accomplished and all these set-backs annoying to say the least? My patience was beginning to wane.

As we drove back home, wondering what to do next, I began to see a spiritual application in all of this. (You knew there would be one...right?) The government needed a document with my son's signature on it. Something that proved he was who he said he was. One day our names will be required on another important document - the Lambs Book of Life. It won't matter how many people say you lived a good life, or how you served faithfully in ministry, or how you gave selflessly to others, if your name isn't written in God's book, you too will be turned away.

Although our solution was proving trying, God has made an easy way for you to have your eternity sealed. It's as simple as asking and receiving. We had a list of documents to choose from to complete our forms - all would have been acceptable. There were many roads that all led to the same end. This is not true with eternity. There is only one way into heaven, and that's through the blood of Christ. Is your paperwork completed? Have you come to Him in recognition of who He is and received the salvation and life He freely offers through the death of His one and only Son? There's no standing in line. There's no 'red tape'. Crimson love covers your sins. He is all the proof of identity you need. With confession and belief you can receive your passport to heaven. Unlike these documents required by man that are temporary and will expire in a few years, our salvation is guaranteed for a lifetime. "For I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able, to keep that which I've committed until Him against that day".

After over four hours of running from place to place, using up lots of gas in the car, and making phone calls, finally our efforts were rewarded. The Lord intervened and in approximately four weeks my son should receive his new Health Card in the mail and then we will be able to take steps necessary to obtain his Passport. The treadmill we were on stopped, and we sat down exhausted from the days run around.

Before closing, I just want to say 'thank you' to so many of you who commented or e-mailed me after reading my last post, "Embrace or Endure". My Mom is coming along. The therapist visited again yesterday adding further restrictions, which is difficult, and will mean she will need longer care, but the therapist was pleased with the healing process and her recovery thus far. Dad continues to struggle with his own challenges, but he is in good spirits. Your prayers, support, encouragement and love at this time have helped me embrace this journey with patience and understanding. Praying that the fruit of His Spirit will continue to grow in my life as I submit to this season.

Hugs to you all,
Joy