As most reading this know, six weeks ago we got the news that our beloved sister in Christ, Amber Mathenia, had gone to be with her Saviour.
At the time I could not collect my thoughts enough to write about it, so I posted this poem by one of her favourite authors instead (also see here for an original poem by an author who prefers to remain anonymous).
It was amazing to me to see what an impact the life of this simple woman of God had. Over eight hundred people attended the funeral; many left comments on Cold Water News telling of her influence on them.
I only knew her here on earth for two-and-a-half years (we met the family at our church shortly before they left for Ethiopia), yet her influence on me and my family will be felt for generations.
Amber Mathenia taught me, by her life and witness, so much about love (to God and others), about openness, about following our Lord’s calling. But what I want to write about here is the journey she was instrumental in setting our family on.
Most of my readers knew Mrs Amber and know that her two children were adopted into their family–Ellie from Ethiopia and Isaac from Tennessee.
Not long after Isaac joined their family, the Mathenias spent a Sunday afternoon at our home. Naturally, adoption was one subject we discussed. My parents mentioned that they had considered adoption many times, but had never pursued it because they didn’t think they met the qualifications.
Mrs Amber eagerly urged them to look into again, telling of the need at the agency through which they had adopted Isaac.
This isn’t an attempt to tell our adoption story before we know the end, so I won’t go into that right now. Mama and Daddy prayed about it and put in the first call to the agency that week, and ‘the rest is history’.
After we heard about Mrs Amber’s passing, Mama was talking to Trey and made the comment that, ‘The Lord used Amber to change our family tree forever’.
Even if we don’t end up with a baby (an unlikely scenario by the way), the heart for adoption we have gained through this process will continue to bear fruit in the Riley family. As we’ve done our research and read many articles on adoption, the truth of our adoption in Christ has been brought home to me– the great wonder of being an adopted child. We have learned more of the Father’s heart for orphans . Some of us children have gained a vision for adoption in our future families (if we are so blessed). We have seen amazing examples of the Lord’s provision. And our whole family has regained a forgotten vision and passion.
Father, thank you for the life of Your servant Amber Mathenia, who now sings Your praises before Your throne. Thank You for using her life on earth in the lives of so many. And thank You for using her as You did in the Riley family.
With mercy and with judgment
My web of time He wove,
And aye the dews of sorrow
Were lustred with His love:
I’ll bless the hand that guided,
I’ll bless the heart that planned,
When throned where glory dwelleth
In Immanuel’s land.
~Rutherford’s Hymn (The Sands of Time Are Sinking), by Anne Ross Cousin, 1824-1906
