Drop Box

Today, three different Facebook friends and The Gospel Coalition posted a video in their news feeds about a Korean preacher who takes in orphans. The preacher created what's now known as "the drop box." It's a large mail-like slot in a wall adjoined to his house, and it's just large enough for a mother to place an unwanted newborn. Most of these newborns have physical disabilities. This preacher takes them in, feeds them, clothes them, loves on them. In Jesus' name.

I watched the video four times. I cried like a baby all. four. times.

Becoming a mother changes a woman, no doubt. I, for one, sleep less, exercise never, and seriously cannot recall the last time I went in a store to shop for clothes, unless Target counts-- which is where I purchase my groceries, feminine products, and clothing. But I have become more than just sleep deprived, flabby, and thrifty.

I have become acutely aware of my sinfulness in light of His holiness.

There is something about motherhood that makes me realize how big His grace is, even amidst the world's brokeness.  I am more sensitive to His patience with my tantrums. I have a much lower threshold for injustice. And I realize more than ever how much His heart breaks when His children are in pain.

There's a particular verse in the Bible that troubled me before I was a mother, particularly when I was walking through four agonizing years of infertility. 

1 Timothy 2:15 reads "Women will be saved through childbearing--if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety."

What is that suppose to mean? Surely this can't be a salvation verse; that would contradict the rest of scripture. And what about women who can't birth children?

I’ve read a few hermeneutical articles, listened to a few exegetical sermons. And I’ve come to this conclusion: Motherhood is hard. Like, really, really, really hard. But it is also refining. Like, really, really, really refining. 

Motherhood has saved me from myself. It has and continues to undress my selfishness, pride, entitlement, idols,... In it's place the Lord cleanses those old wounds and makes beauty from ashes. 

Why? 

Because He said He would. I press in with faith, love, and holiness, and He in turn makes all things new and beautiful. I get the blessing. He gets the glory.

The Lord has also revealed another truth about this verse to me: You don't have to be a mother to be saved through childbearing. I don't think it's the least bit blasphemous to think the word "childbearing" is synonymous with terms like child rearing or child caring. 

This man is the first "mother" I hope to meet when I walk through Heaven's gates.

The Drop Box

"The Drop Box" - Documentary PROMO from Brian Ivie on Vimeo.

TGC