Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Eighty Years Ago Today ...

 ... A tiny baby was born premature in Hanna hospital. The mother asked to see her baby, but the nurses refused.

"You don't want to see your baby ... he probably won't live anyway ... it's best  for you that you don't see him ..." The doctor had had to give the baby an injection to kick-start his heart.

"I. Want. To. See. My. Baby," the mother insisted.

Finally, with great reluctance, they brought her son to her. He was swaddled in cotton wool. His mother later remarked that he looked like he was covered with the scales of a fish rather than skin. She was told to keep him in cotton wool for a month and not to let him cry for the first few weeks.

The mother cradled her baby and loved him. She asked God to spare her baby's life; and she promised Him that if He would keep her baby alive, she would give him back to Him to serve Him.

The son grew up wanting to be a boxer. She never stood in his way; as a matter of fact, she would get up extremely early to make sure he had breakfast and everything he might need for the day. 

But through the provision of God, the young man's heart and mind were changed and he became a missionary instead. He went to India in 1959 and served there for 40 years. Somewhat surprisingly to him at the time his mother never said anything to try to dissuade him. Today he still preaches and teaches and offers counsel and wisdom to many people, including the College and its offshoots in India.

The mother passed away almost seventy years later. Ten days before she died she told my Dad this story of the start to his life. With that, he finally understood why she was so able to let him leave all those years ago.

Happy eightieth birthday, Dad! "Faithful is He that called you who also will do it."



18 comments:

  1. That must have been some injection -- it is still kick-starting hearts! HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

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  2. Happy Birthday, Uncle Allan!

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  3. Great comment, Andy! So many hearts have been helped and healed because of the grace that gave life to this heart, physical and spiritual, and keeps renewing that inner and outer life day by day. And when the heart fails, God is greater than our hearts .... HAPPY BIRTHDAY, dearest Dad! I heard Nana tell the story with a radiant smile that day! Mum was there too, marvelling! We thank God for your life, always.

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  4. Happy Birthday, Mr. Ironside. I thank God for the day you were born and for sparing your life for you have been a huge blessing to me. Your love for Jesus and for others has truly touched my heart. I have been the benefactor of your servant-heart and for that I want to say thank you. Your quiet and gentle spirit is a picture of Jesus to me and I pray He will give you abundant blessings today and in the year ahead.

    Romans 15:13 (NLT)

    "I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit."

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  5. Absolutely awesome! We praise God with you.

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  6. Please tell him that we pray he has a wonderful Birthday and a year full of blessings from the Lord!

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  7. Happy Birthday, Mr. Ironside! Thank you for bringing Karyn into this world! :) She is truly a blessing!

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  8. Happy Birthday Uncle. I'm privileged to share my birthday with you. Thank you for being a blessing to me!

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  9. Happy Birthday Mr Ironside :)

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  10. Happy Birthday Dr. Ironside. God's blessing upon you.

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  11. Happy Birthday, Uncle. Blessings to you in Christ. You have inspired us in many ways. Thank you.

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  12. What an amazing story! Happy Birthday Uncle!

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  13. Happy Birthday to a truly amazing man, Dad and friend!!!!

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  14. Happy Birthday to my spiritual Father take care n God bless

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  15. Uncle Ironside I am Sheela Roberts Your sunday school student and member of your church in Bngalore BBBC ,Happy Birthday,We pray that God will bless you many more wonderful Years.Now iam married and live in Italy.
    Sheela Bhandari.

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  16. Happy birthday and happy long life to my Spiritual Father God bless!!!

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