Birth Certificate

The year was 1931, and the old dimly lit ranch house belonging to my Grandparents welcomed into this world the first-born daughter to my mother and father. The attending nurse was able to stay, and instruct the new mother in all that was necessary to care for her new baby, but the hurried doctor was anxious to leave for a scheduled fishing trip. In his haste, he neglected to fill out the paper work for a birth certificate. Ultimately, the birth of the new baby was never documented at the county recorder’s office.

A few years later, during World War II, each family was requested to report to their local grammar school to apply for food and gasoline ration books. Proof that each person was a member of the household was verified by presentation of a legal birth certificate.

By this time, there were two other children in the household with recorded birth certificates, but none for the oldest child.

The oldest child agonized with a whiny complaint, “Now I know that I was adopted, and I have suspected it for some time!”

Because she was the elder child, she was expected to take on more responsibility. This caused her to feel put upon and somehow, different from the other children. Because more attention was paid to the baby, and the younger brother, it also stirred a bit of jealousy. Her mother assured her that she was not adopted, and that steps were already being taken to prove that she was indeed a bona-fide member of the family.

The doctor had since passed away, but the nurse was located. Her memories of the birth at the old farm house were clear, and she was willing to sign an affidavit of birth for the anxious parents. With that behind them, the paperwork was taken care of speedily, enabling each family member to obtain their ration books.

As we reminisce about the importance of having our names subscribed to a recorded certificate-of-birth here on this earth, it is also of the utmost significance to understand the eternal magnitude of having our names written down in God’s book in heaven!

Entrance into heaven is only as we are able to present to the gatekeeper, our Second Birth Certificate. Some call it being Born-Again, which is an excellent term for receiving Jesus into our heart.

One day Jesus spoke to a man named Nicodemus, and told him, “Unless a person is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” The well educated man did not understand and asked Jesus, “Must I re-enter my mothers womb and be born a second time?” Jesus explained to him, that the new birth is a spiritual experience, and comes about by inviting Jesus to be your savior and Lord.

If you have not already done so, it is essential that you do so today! Jesus stands at your heart’s door and is knocking for entrance. The door of your heart is decision and voice activated. Just speak with your mouth and invite him in.

Revelations 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hears my voice, and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with me.