Wednesday, August 27, 2008

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

18 comments:

Runner Mom said...

Hey Joy! I am so glad that you're off of that hamster's wheel!! Bless your heart! Been there and done that in other areas!

I loved how you included the Lamb's Book of Life in this! Just beautiful! I will continue to pray for your fruit of the spirit to ripen during this journey you're on.

Love ya,
Susan

Yolanda said...

This is simply amazing.

Just this morning I shared with a Siesta that her name was written in the Lamb's Book Of Life. She was posting to her blog as I was sending her an email. Want to know what the last sentence is to her blog posting today?

Rev. 17:8

And now I read your post, and it is about our names being written!

THANK YOU JESUS!

Love,
Yolanda

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

That wore me out just reading it! So glad that my Father only requires one proof of identity. Funny, we always want to make it so hard, don't we?

Take some aspirin and get some rest. I'm going to.

peace~elaine

Sue said...

Oh Joy, I know how you feel. We are trying to prove that my father in law is alive so that he can continue to receive GM pension/benifits! My poor Mom in law is not so confident as I am. I keep telling her, "He's alive!!" She does not share my faith or confidence, sad to say.

Thanks for your beautiful writings.
Praying for you all,
Sue

Catherine said...

What a beautiful analogy Joybells! Oh how I pray that the veil will be removed from my brother's eyes and that he will see it's not about just knowing who God is that will allow him to enter into His presence. Praying, praying as I know you are too...thank you!!

Glad to hear that you were able to apply for Chris' health card and that you were able to go up there and apply for it...literally. :o) Next step, Passport for NC!

Joy Junktion said...

I am so thankful that HE is the only proof of identity I need.
Wonderful post.

Tracy said...

I printed this yesterday for reading on my bus ride home. My fellow riders probably wondered what I was reading as I found myself shaking my head in disbelief. What a day! Glad to hear it's all worked out and I loved your spiritual application. Praise God for our identity in Christ!

If I haven't thanked you already, please know I appreciate your prayers and kind words. I'll gladly return the favor when it's your turn to wear these shoes.

Take care,
Tracy

Cheri Bunch said...

Isn't it interesting that our names will be in "His Book". That really struck me as I read your post. Our son is attending a new high school this year and they hardly have any books in the library. All research is done by computer these days.
One time the Lord whispered to me that His Book had two pages. Our names are written on the palms of His hands. How beautiful!
I love you, Joy! Hope you have an amazing weekend
Cheri

Marilyn in Mississippi said...

Joy,
I have had some "run-ins" with crazy stuff like that in the past and it is really awful I agree! Seems like they could all get their act together! I'm sure you probably handled it better than I would have! :)

You take care now!

Marilyn in MS

Joy Junktion said...

Joy, Thank you for coming by my blog yesterday and leaving such encouraging words. I love the words to the song. I need to find that CD someplace.
I am doing well today.
We serve a mighty King.
Blessings, Cindy

Bonita said...

I'm glad that you were able to take a frustrating situation and find the lesson in it- a great lesson to be sure.

Stonefox said...

Joy, thank you for your prayers and the scripture you left on my blog. That is one of my favorites, God's promises are all YES in Christ!

Your post here made me sigh because we have those run arounds quite frequently and boy are they annoying! But what an awesome reminder that Christ intervenes- HE is our identity, the only mark we need! Awesome!

Unknown said...

Hi Joy :)

What a great post. I do so love when we can take our circumstances and draw a God lesson out of them, especially when they are the frustrating siuations. Thank you so much for sharing that.

I'm praying for your mom.

Also, stop by my blog. I have a present for you.

Julie said...

Joy,
I found you from Elaine's blog.

I enjoyed your post. I too wrote about "identity" on a devo for the Internet Cafe a few days back. Mine was about having your identity stolen.

I saw on your profile that you like Ken Gire also.
He is one of my favorites.

It's nice to meet you.
Julie

Terri Tiffany said...

Joy, what a wondeful story and I love how you tied it together for us! I discovered your blog from another blogger and am glad I did! I will be back:)

StitchinByTheLake said...

I know that was a frustrating day for you. Getting a passport proved difficult for me recently because my birth certificate (which I got from the state) had the word "delayed" on it. It's a valid birth certificate but I was born way back in the country and my parents didn't register my birth until I was a few months old; thus, the "delayed." Since I am now nearly 62 I'm not sure what difference that made. They wanted copies of 5 credit cards to "verify" my birth certificate. Crazy, right? blessings, marlene

Us4 Cats said...

I came across your blog via another persons blog and so forth :)

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.


-Faith

Leah Adams said...

As we say here in the south,"Bless your heart!!". What a day you had!! I'm glad things finally worked out. Glad your parents are slowly improving.

Leah