Heroes are ordinary people, but they are not normal. Superstars, talented athletes, the famous and wealthy are normal but not ordinary. They are normal in that, for the most part, they are self-indulgent people who live for temporal pleasure and hedonistic pursuits. Apart from their circumstances, they are quite normal and, therefore, should not be considered heroes.
Real heroes are not normal. They are ordinary people who are empowered by an all-powerful God to do extraordinary and miraculous things. Anyone who trusts in God and follows His will can be a hero.
On November 23, 2008, Angela and I met Jerry and Eileen Mestas at the home of mutual friends, Dwain and Heidi Gullion. We were immediately inspired by the faith in Christ of both couples. This night began a friendship and partnership in international orphan care that the Lord has used to bless a multitude of people. I have heard the Mestas’ faith story many times, presented before our church family and around their kitchen table. Few people have inspired me to trust Christ in all things like these heroes, Jerry and Eileen Mestas. When I heard that Eileen was prompted by the Spirit to write a book on their journey, I could hardly wait to read it.
The story of their lives is an account of two segments. The first part is quite normal. They were raised in normal families and chased normal American dreams. Success in their careers and endeavors gave way to normal struggles that most families face, including the option of divorce. Then God stepped in, rescued both Jerry and Eileen from the normal (or broad) road that leads to hell and transformed their lives through repentance of sin and trusting in Christ in salvation. From that point, normal is no longer in their vocabulary.
Admittedly, Jerry and Eileen would have no idea how different their life would become. Over the next 25 years of following Christ, God would give them more than they could handle. In addition to their three biological children, God would call them to adopt five, yes five, more children. At one point they had five kids in their home under the age of four during a time when “normal” people were preparing for an “empty nest” and retirement living. As a tangent, but significant testimony, Jerry spent over two years and three months in unemployment, after his employer fired him for providing biblical counsel for a Christian client who was considering an abortion. (God used Jerry to save at least one life!)
When Eileen shared the book idea with me some time ago, internally I wondered about the title. She wanted to call the book, More Than “I” Can Handle. Does God purposefully give us more than we can handle? Eileen says “yes” and I now agree. Biblically speaking, God does not allow temptation to sin beyond what we can resist. However, God can give His children assignments that require His intervention and power. Without His work and resources, we cannot walk by faith. Without God, life is more than we can handle.
With God’s leading, anything is possible. When we settle for “normal,” we miss the blessing God has for us. More importantly, we miss the faith lessons God wants to teach us. We learn the most in the hard places, difficult decisions, and when we are desperately depleted of our own resources. More Than “I” Can Handle is the story of how God has transformed an ordinary couple into what I would call superheroes.
When contemplating this story, it may be easy to compliment Jerry and Eileen for their strength, resolve, and perseverance. Yet, it is refreshing to see that this story is not about them. In fact, Eileen is so transparent about their struggles, failures, and sin that the reader (at times) may be uncomfortable with specific details. To the praise of God, the Mestas are humble in their recollection of events. They point to God alone and daily remain amazed at His power, His work, and His grace. In fact, the Gospel of Jesus permeates each of the 26 short chapters.
As much as I would like to share more the details of God’s miracles in this beautiful family, I will not be a spoiler for the book. In case you are tempted to say, “This is a story about a family adopting some kids. God is not calling me to do this.” You need to read it. This is much bigger than adoption.
This book is about God and how He can work in your life, too. No matter what position or season of life you are now enjoying, you will be inspired and challenged by the ordinary and miraculous. I cannot imagine someone finishing this book and asking anything less than this: “What could God do with my life if I simply obey Him?”
This truth is the key and the point of this writing. Following Christ is not easy. The journey of the Mestas’ faith is not one of comfort and pleasure. The decisions have, however, been simple. Eileen states, “As I learned to hear His voice, I also learned to obey and follow Him.” Not everyone is called to adopt five children in their “mid-life” season, but every person is called to worship God and follow His lead. I am eager to see how God is going to continue to lead the Mestas family.
Could you become an ordinary superhero? With God, anything is possible!
You may be asking: How can I get a copy? Two options:
1. Go to their website- www.MoreThanICanHandle.com (I would guess they get a higher royalty percentage from the sales here; and you get an autographed copy.)
2. Get it on Amazon: www.amazon.com
Some pretty popular people love this family and the story of God’s grace, too.
Mary Beth Chapman (aka Steven Curtis’ wife)- “The Mestas family by faith stepped into the Miracle of Adoption, and with their story of hope, this story will encourage and challenge many on the same journey.”
Dove Award winning singer Meredith Andrews- “Never have I been so challenged and encouraged to walk by faith. The Mestas family has learned the value of obedience when the odds were stacked against them, and they have watched the Lord fulfill His promises over and over again in their lives.”
Other Books Reviewed (and Recommended) by Jeremy Amick include:
Are You in Sync with God? (Living Beyond the Limits by Franklin Graham)
Get Out of Church! (The Externally Focused Church by Rusaw and Swanson)
Me to We (by Alan Nelson)
Everyone Communicates, Few Connect (by John Maxwell)
Shepherding Well 