I've battled back & forth over this blog post. Normally, I just smack some words together and post. Yes, I know I'm a true wordsmith. But there are the occasional posts that are more thoughtful and prayerful. Today we have the second kind.
Honestly, I wasn't sure I should write it — Lord, I don't really think I have anything to say on the matter. Of course, God knew that wasn't the truth. There isn't a subject on the planet that I won't discuss. Okay, Lord, I don't think I'm the one to say it. We've been talking this out all morning.
As I typed words and deleted them over and over and over, God brought something to mind. Tomorrow I'm speaking on the topic Online Friendships at Ministry:Online and as I prepared for this message God kept pointing me to study beyond the fun and spend some time on the dangers of online deception and toxic relationships. I was certain that I wouldn't use it in my message, but God still had me prepare. I assured God that I am much better at a message about the fun & blessing of online friends, God assured me that He is the one who called me and He would be the one to tell me the message. Ouch. Okay, Lord, I'll study that part too. Today I see His hand and I praise Him for preparing my heart to walk through this with you.
Now to my story:
I've followed a certain blogger who calls herself “B.” I've faithfully read her blog (and that says a lot, I don't even faithfully read my own blog). I followed along as she traveled a path of pain & sorrow.
“B” was pregnant & unmarried when she learned her baby girl would not live. Little April Rose was diagnosed with Trisomy 13. I don't know much about this diagnosis other than what I read on her blog — her baby would not live outside the womb.
I read the pain filled posts of doctors predictions that sweet baby girl would not survive through the pregnancy, much less make it to birth. I prayed for a miracle. Thousands and possible tens of thousands approached the throne on B's behalf and asked for that miracle. This community that came up around B and baby April Rose was one of great prayer warriors, sisters in the faith who'd walked this path before, and Internet friends with a heat to help. We are young and not so young; we are mothers and single ladies; we are home schooling moms and working moms; we are all sisters in the belief that God does bring miracles. We cried out for that miracle.
And we rejoiced when we heard the heartbeat of a strong growing baby girl. A heart beat that had been slowing at each visit, a heart that we'd prayed for God to save, we heard that heartbeat on a YouTube video and we cried.
I talked of B and April Rose to my Bible study girls and I asked for prayer.
We rejoiced when she passed 30 weeks and then 35 weeks.
And then things started happening. Little things that didn't make sense. Red flags that God brought to my attention. And I paid attention. God has taken me down this path before and when He opens my eyes to something I pay attention.
Today,the blogoshpere is talking about B & April Rose — it was deception. Why did she do it? I don't know. It doesn't really matter. That's for B to deal with, not me. I approached the throne of grace and boldly asked for a miracle just as Hebrews 4:16 teaches we are to do.
As each of us tries to figure out this deception, don't let this make you bitter or untrusting. Let God use this experience to grow you and to teach you. For each of you who prayed for this mother and child, keep praying. This woman, mother or not, needs our prayers. Can you imagine the sadness that she must live in? The desire for attention? The desire of money? No matter what her reasons, she needs more Jesus. No matter how any of us feel, we all need more Jesus. Grab onto Him.
Approach the throne of grace with confidence. You are God's chosen one. (Col 3:12); Walk in the knowledge that you are His masterpiece (Eph2:10) and know that you walk in His strength, not your own, and that it is in this strenghth you will find compassion and joy. (Col 1:9-11)
I hold to that. More Hope. More Joy. More Jesus.
As sad as I am…I don’t feel angry or hurt or deceived…just so sad. Praying for healing and restoration. Jesus be real and near.
Good word MaryR. You have encouraged me.
Love ya much.
I agree that this woman needs prayer now, perhaps even more than people thought she needed before. I think many of us have been through similar situations, and my prayer is that we do not let it harden the hearts God gave us.
“Listen! _I_ am sending you* out like sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore, continue becoming wise as the serpents and innocent as the doves. (Matthew 10:16)
Bless you for this post.
didn’t follow her but I did see the “buttons” – like Fran said, just so sad. We need to be “as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves” (matt. 10:16)
love you!
rach
So beautifully said. My heart has been grieved over this as well. I was so struck by the wisdom in her words; I’m praying that the truth found in them will now resonate in a whole new life-changing way.
Love you Miss Mary,
Melinda
There are people who do anything and say anything for any number of reasons. And it’s no mistake when God puts us in their path (or vice-versa). We can pray for her and pray that God reaches her despite her deception!
I so much enjoyed your session on AWI. It certainly is hard when you invest yourself emotionally in someone’s life and are betrayed, but much like IRL I would rather err in giving to someone who doesn’t really need it than to not be faithful to offer my help/prayer.
Mary
I agree with so you and the other commenters that I feel sorry for her 🙁
I did not follow her and honestly had not heard the story but I do “hear” I woman crying out for attention and love
May God bring her His love, peace, and joy that comes only from HIM!
Love you
I was saddened as I read this report. Only she and God know what her motives were, and only God can touch her heart.
Mary, I so enjoyed your presentation, I’m new at all this, but heard a genuineness in your voice that touched me. The word Friend, like love are so overused that the real sometimes gets overlooked because of the loudness of the masses.
Thanks! God Bless
I was never interested in the world of blogs until I heard about “April”. I would check the blog occasionally and really prayed for this poor mother and child. I had a baby who did in fact have Trisomy 13 and only lived a short time. I must say that this whole situation hurts so many of us who have infact lost our precious babies. I certainly feel that the person(s) behind this widespread deception needs prayer – but so do those who were decieved.
Sarah
When I read this post this morning, I had so many comments I wanted to make. (I don’t have a clue about whom you are speaking, but I’ve been involved in moments like this too.)
So, I went scouring through my old blog looking for a couple of posts I had written. Here’s one I found: (Oh and a disclaimer…this was before I had surrendered it all to Him so I apologize in advance for any unsavory words or comments or innuendos.)
A Woman Of Seasons
You met her in a chat room as Kate 26
Laughed and confided, you even shared pics.
This message is posted to tell Kate is away,
She has morphed into someone quite different today !!!
You will find her in chat rooms as wildgentlebreeze
Her hormones are raging, quite hard to please
She’s cutting, sarcastic and sometimes quite lewd,
Not at all like the Kate 26 that you knew !!!
The seasons change less than Kate 26 moods
Sometimes she’s a cartoon, at others a nude.
With each different picture she changes her name,
Don’t take it personal, it is part of her game.
Sometimes she is funny, flirtatious and fat,
At others real lonely and missing her cat.
She is friendly or furious, on Mondays she’s meek,
At least five different people by the end of the week !!
On Tuesday she has kids on Wednesday there’s none,
Cause this is the night Kate 26 has her fun.
She is hetro and mono, bi and is gay,
This isn’t confusing, it just depends on the day !!!!
On Fridays real sporty, off with the crowd,
On Saturdays dancing with music played loud.
She climbed mountains and sailed, loved and she lost,
Went riding on horseback, took drugs and smoked pot !!
Lived in Perth and Kentucky, sometimes as a bot,
Lived in cold snowy places, others quite hot.
But the truth to be known; ask if you dare,
Kate 26 never moved from her chair !!!!!!!!
And I guess that’s the magic of internet chat,
Some people are honest, some wear different hats.
So remember behind clever names on the screen,
There are people there typing who are not what they seem !!
And as for your new friend, young Kate 26,
She looks nothing like that sexy young chic.
Though her mind is still sharp, her fingers move quick,
She probably thinks you’re a bit of a D**k !!!
She has four grown children, she’s old and is grey,
Re- living her youth in a ‘virtual’ way.
To find the real person, I’m sorry to say,
It’s a pity but matey ____ You picked the WRONG DAY !!!!
Copyright; Ken Hodgkinson
Email: kenhodgo@hotmail.com
Just a reminder that sometimes, you have no idea who is behind this screen. I have a problem with being too honest (brutally so at times) and I just can’t understand why anyone would feel the need to this. But, they do. It happens in other places besides online, but it’s just easier to do in the cyber world.
(Ok I’m still looking for one more I wrote after this poor woman had cancer and then we all deserted her and a few months later I met her but I met the real her and not the fake her. She never admitted to being the fake her…drama. When I find it, I’ll just post it on my blog and you can read it if you so desire!)
Siesta Love You!
Oh I really didn’t think about it being a hoax until Sunday. When I found out she had given birth and Little April Rose was alive I ran in and told my hubs. He was like that doesn’t sound right to me. It sounds like a hoax. But I was appalled at him for saying that. I usually take people at face value I always have. I never think that they are hiding something I guess I just believe they are who they are. I have found out differently IRL. But I wasn’t mad about B being fake. I was sad. I am continuing to pray for her. She needs our prayers now more than ever I think.
I have been meaning to come over here and say hello since I seen your post on Alabama Bloggers. Just now getting the chance and glad I did!
I too am doing the Bible study on the LPM blog. I have contacted Jamie who has a group and hopefully meet you there. If not maybe at lunch on the 18th.
Have a blessed evening!
Love your blog by the way.