A woman I know recently announced that after struggling with infertility, she and her husband were expecting their first child. A few short weeks later, they discovered that their child has several health conditions that could lead to an 80-90% mortality rate. Tearfully, I told their story to my mom who was reminded of a blog she read, Bring the Rain. I sat down this evening to read the story of Audrey Caroline, who at 19 weeks gestation was diagnosed with several health problems, most of them stemming from a lack of amniotic fluid. Doctors told her parents that outside of a miracle of God, this child could not survive outside the womb, and would most likely be stillborn. I won't dive into more of the story, but I urge you to check out the blog if you are interested. The mother, Angie, was the author of the blog, and I am amazed at her strength, vulnerability, and reliance on Jesus.
This story moved me in several ways:
1. I am determined to pray continuously for the woman I know and her baby, for healing, and that God will be faithful and give them strength, whether he chooses to heal the baby on this side of Heaven or not.
2. I realized how thankful I am for the healthy, beautiful little girl sleeping in the next room, and that I do not tell God often enough how thankful I am for her. After reading this story and wiping away my tears, I went into her room, stood over her crib, and just thanked God for Adalyn. It is very fitting that her middle name is Joy because it is the perfect word to describe her. She is an absolute joy, and she finds so much joy in the smallest things, like playing hide and seek with daddy, dancing with mommy, and giving kisses to everyone she loves. She is truly a miracle in so many ways. Thanks again, God. :)
3. Lastly, I pray that if (or perhaps when) God asks me to go through a valley, whatever it may be, that I will handle it with the grace and dependence on Him that Angie had, rejoicing and praising Him that He is the same God, yesterday, today, and forever. I am reminded of our series at church about Kind David, after his sin with Bathsheba. After the child they conceived died, David got up from his fasting, cleaned himself, and went on to PRAISE GOD.
I'll leave you with a few pictures of the munchkin I am utterly thankful for tonight, maybe a bit of her innocent JOY can rub off on us all!
