Twins Twice

I see that you’ve noticed my wheelchair. Maybe you are wondering why I need to use it or why somebody has to help me get around. It’s ok! I’d love to tell you about it. During my mom’s pregnancy, she contracted an infection. It started in the fluid of my amniotic sac, causing my mom to go into labor. The doctors said that if I stayed in the womb with that infection, I would die! And so would my twin sister, Sarah, even though the infection had not reached her sac yet. The doctors’ recommendation was to abort both of us. But my parents believed that God is the Creator and Sustainer of life. Our futures were up to Him alone. They told the doctors that they would not abort but wait to see what God’s plan was for us all. Then the doctors came up with another plan. What if I were born, clearing both Mom and me of the dangerous infection, but Sarah remained in the womb where she could continue to safely develop? That sounded like the best-case scenario for all three of us, and, with my parents’ approval, the doctors went ahead with that plan. I was born almost four months early, weighing one pound, ten ounces. Yes, that’s really little! My whole body could fit in the palm of my mom’s hand, and my dad’s wedding ring fit over my arm up to my shoulder! The first several weeks were like a roller coaster, with lots of medical ups and downs. But God allowed me to live! It became apparent after a few days that I had had a brain bleed during my delivery, which was causing fluid to accumulate on my brain. The doctors said there would be lots of brain damage. I might never walk, talk, eat, or even smile. Then they did an astounding thing: they again recommended to my parents that they abort me! Even though I was already born and laying in the isolette right in front of their eyes, they said that abortion was legal until 28 weeks. I was only 26 weeks at that time. My parents again affirmed to them that God was the One in control. Only He had the right to save or end my life. So the doctors continued to try to help my frail body survive. Sarah, my twin sister, was born nine weeks later. She was still almost two months premature. She weighed in at a whopping three pounds, twelve ounces. Right after she was born, the doctors put a tube down her throat to help her breathe. But she didn’t like that at all! In fact, she pulled the tube out so many times that they let her try to breathe on her own. And she did just fine! Sarah has not had any lasting effects from her unique birth experience. My brain bleed led to a condition called cerebral palsy. It’s not a disease, and I am not getting any worse. It just changed the way my brain controls my body. That’s why I am in this wheelchair. I can walk with help, but it is very difficult and slow. My right arm is partially paralyzed as well, so I use my left hand to move my wheelchair, to write, to eat, and to do most daily tasks. So even though Sarah and I are twins, we were born on different days, nine weeks apart! But can you believe that we are actually twins twice? How can that be possible? Our second birth, the day we were born into God’s family, is what makes us twins the second time. In July 2006, while Sarah and I were both ten years old, we were invited to a Christian camp in Colorado for a week. On July 4th, the preacher gave a message on heaven and hell. I was really scared! I didn’t want to end up in that dark, fire-filled place for eternity. During the invitation, my mom, who was also a sponsor at camp, showed me from the Bible how I could accept Christ and be with Him forever in heaven when I leave this earth. She explained that since God is our Creator, He is the One to whom we all must answer. And all of us are born sinners, opposed to God and in rebellion against His laws (Romans 3:23). But God loves us so much, that He sent His Son, Jesus, to freely take the punishment of sin that we deserve (John 3:16). He came to earth as a baby, lived a sinless life, and then died on a cross. But He only stayed in the grave for a short time. Three days later, He arose, victorious over death and sin (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)! He did this so that we might confess our sins to God and take His gift as the payment for them (Romans 5:8-9). If we do this, God promises that we will spend eternity with Him in heaven (Romans 6:23). Those who don’t accept that gift will be separated from Him forever (John 3:36). I didn’t want to die without knowing God. I wanted that free gift of God’s salvation. I prayed and asked Jesus to save me. And He did, just as He promised! Little did I know that my twin sister, Sarah, was speaking to her camp counselor about the same things, and she experienced this same new birth into God’s family at the exact same time I did! Twins twice! And there you have our special story. But what about you? I know that you have been born once, since I have met you today. But have you been born again? Would you take the time to consider God’s offer of eternal salvation? Will you receive His gift? If you do, you will also become a child of God, and we will be part of the same spiritual family! I sincerely pray that the testimony I have shared with you will prompt you to come to God.