Waiting for Eli by Chad Judice

It was May of 2005 and another school year was coming to a close. With all the necessary requirements being met I opened a forum for discussion in my classroom. One of my students directed a question toward me. “Coach, what is your greatest fear?” I thought about it for a moment, and then answered.  Seven years later that answer has not only been a revelation of who God is but also what his ultimate plan for my life has always been.

In February of 2009 my son Elijah Paul Judice was born in a hospital room in Metairie, La. A three hour drive from my home and miles away from the answer that has captivated my soul ever since. A routine ultrasound in the midst of my wife’s second pregnancy revealed that he had a condition in which 80% of the couples who receive it choose abortion. I was a cradle Catholic who said he was pro-life but never had to live it until that ultimate decision was put into my hands.

The Judice Family

In a modern world of moral relativism where individuals have become the final authority concerning what is good or evil, while finding myself in the most desperate situation I had ever been in, I was presented with a choice. It was a choice that I knew would be life changing and was not familiar to my subjective moral standards. There was a quiet voice within my soul beckoning me to lead my family to do what is right. My worldly experiences had led me to believe that voice was my conscience. It is only through “grace” that I came to hear the voice of “Truth.” A truth that I had always believed was something but came to discover is someone. “I am the way the truth and the life. No one goes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

Thirty days after his birth I composed a manuscript that has become the book Waiting for Eli: A Father’s Journey from Fear to Faith. I wrote the book for my oldest son Ephraim. One day when he is a father, the pages of the book will help him understand in a way that no words his mother or I use ever will. God inspired it because since 1973 there have been over 50 million abortions in the United States and 1.2 billion across the world. It has become the moral issue of our lifetime. This story takes the principles of the pro – life movement from the abstract to the concrete and could be as significant in ending abortion in this country as Uncle Tom’s Cabin was to ending slavery. For the past three years I have spoken before over fifty audiences across the country sharing my personal conversion experience that occurred from one “yes” to life. Multiple reactions from readers of all ages, cultures, and walks of life would suggest the same.

Eli’s story made me aware that all life is precious; that each person has their own beautiful flaws. Regardless of how I see myself right now, I know I am not an accident.  Life is not perfect and it is not about getting what I want, but never giving up in the struggle.  Mr. Judice’s book is changing my life as I read it.” Madison Aucoin – Junior St. Thomas More High School Class of 2014

            “It was a mere six months ago when I was the winner of your book in a silent auction at a fundraiser. I read it the same evening and afterward lay awake in awe. Words on a page rarely can convey a message as clearly as you wrote it. You have a special gift as a writer and as I learned tonight, an inspirational speaker as well.”
Harold Domingue - resident Lafayette, La.

Bishop Jarrell and Judice Family

            My deepest hope is that readers feel every life changing experience I did living it; to not just know about Jesus but embrace the opportunity to receive his love intimately in their life. Whether it is a devout believer or the most ardent skeptic, God continues to reveal his presence to them through this story. Evidence of this has been so overwhelming that a second book (Eli’s Reach) will be available this fall. It chronicles stories and events that prove the reach of God’s love to others through a single human life are immeasurable. Please visit the author’s website to schedule a speaking engagement (www.waitingforeli.com or www.chadjudice.com ) Book also available @amazon.com, barnesandnobles.com, acadianhouse.com 

Order Waiting for Eli: A Father’s Journey from Fear to Faith and support CatholicMom.com with your purchase

Copyright 2012 Chad Judice