Chapter 2:
My Personal Testimony
By James Franklin Barber
Has this question ever crossed your mind? “Why am I here? I am sure that many people wish they knew and have posed this question to themselves countless times. We usually ask this question, when something disastrous happens and shakes our world. Does God have a plan for our lives? Yes, God does, although we may not understand, what His plan is at the time. An important thing to remember is, that in order for God’s Plan to unfold in our lives, we must continually seek for it. God has given us all a special gift and He will make sure, that we will be able to use it for His glory.
We all need to have a sense of why we are here. We all need to know, that we were created for a purpose. We will never find fulfillment and happiness, until we are doing the things, for which we were created. God won’t move us into the big things, which He has called us to do, unless we have been proven faithful in the small things. His lord said unto him, Well, done one good and faithful servant; thy has been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord (Matthew 25:23). So if you are doing what you seem to be small things right now “REJOICE!” God is getting you ready for big things ahead.
One night, Carolyn and I were discussing God’s Plan for our lives. I believe that God even from the very beginning had a special plan for my life. I was born on October 19, 1954 in Savanna, TN. I never knew, who my real parents were or where they lived. I was in foster care for about 2 years. My earliest memories were of living in a small house, surrounded by cotton. I can remember a railroad track that ran by the old house. Late in the evening just about sunset, a freight train would come by as it did each day. I remember someone on the train would wave and blow the whistle at me.
Frank and Ruby Barber adopted me at the age of 2 and they brought me back to South Fulton, TN. to live. No one could have asked for a better mom and dad and I feel God handpicked them for me. They needed a little boy and I needed a mom and dad. When I got older, I started thinking about that man who waved at me, as the train passed by the old house. My dad and I were talking one day about things, that had happened and he told me he could remember going through a town late in the evening. He said he remembered a little skinny, blond-haired boy, who was always waiting for him to pass by his house. He remembered how happy it made the little boy, when he waved and blew the train whistle at him. I told my dad I believe with my whole heart, he was the man on the train and I was the little boy. It was all part of God’s Plan for my life.
I never thought being adopted was a issue with my family, until the last 5 years. After my dad died, my so-called family drastically changed. I was treated more like a outsider, by my cousins, (on my mother’s side), than part of the family. My cousins were so afraid, that I might get some of my dad and mother’s money. They did everything possible, under the sun, to try and take it away from me and my son, Jordan. I have been very hurt because my family members have treated me so much differently.
The funny thing is Carolyn’s family has accepted me as a member of the family. Carolyn has one daughter named Stacy and two grandsons named Cody and Cameron. I have a son named Jordan. When we got married, we joined forces and became a family. We do not believe in the word ”Step.” I am a dad to a Carolyn's daughter and I am known by her two grandsons as “Paw Paw.”
Now that I'm an adult, I would like to know at least the medical history of my biological family but despite all my efforts to found my real mother, I have not been able to find any information regarding her. After a lot of praying I have decided not to go any farther with it. I have also decided, instead of worrying about my blood family and to focus on my present family with Carolyn.
My friend, I agree that it would be beneficial to know your family's medical history, but keep in mind, not knowing your birth parents might not be a bad thing. If you were adopted at a young age by godly parents, please count your blessings. I am not saying, that you might not be curious, about who your birth parents were, but don’t end up pushing your adopted parents away. Being adopted doesn’t make you’re any less than a person, in fact it makes you a specially chosen individual.
God Bless You,
James Franklin Barber