This post is dedicated to all of my friends who have struggled to become parents. I am so thankful that God’s grace blessed each and every one of you. You know who you are!
Yesterday, when I posted Matt Redman’s song “Your Grace Finds Me,” the lyrics in the first verse really jumped out at me. “It’s there in the newborn cry.” I have heard that song many, many, many times but for some reason, yesterday those words especially jumped out at me. I think it is because I have indeed seen God’s grace come through a newborn baby’s cry or a toddler’s first words.
A dear camp friend and her husband gave birth to a daughter seven years ago. They have been trying to get pregnant ever since. Their hopes would get high and then they would be dashed by experiencing yet another miscarriage. My heart broke for them. But then, this last year, they finally got pregnant. I remember family pictures they took that said “For this child we have prayed.” Indeed they had prayed. Little Miss Amelia was born into this world this past August. The minute I met her and held her in my arms, I was so very thankful that God hears our cries and that God’s grace is given to us freely.
Sometimes, God’s grace doesn’t come in the ways we expect it either. I think of my dear cousin who is mother to two children who are both with Jesus in heaven. I cannot understand why she would be blessed by these children to have them taken away from her. Yet in the midst of her grief, I have seen my cousin make a difference by talking and supporting other families who have experienced loss. I have also seen my cousin blessed in so many other ways too.
I also think of a college friend and her family. Several years ago, they decided to adopt. I have prayed with and beside them. I remember a couple of Lents ago when I was praying through my Facebook friend’s list when she had asked me to pray. I prayed. And literally days later, she messaged me to let me know they had gotten a call from their adoption agency. My friend and her husband flew to Bulgaria to meet their new daughter where she was living in an orphanage. God indeed orchestrated this family reunion. The minute my friend saw her daughter, she smiled. They both are graced with beautifully flowing tight curls. It has indeed been a difficult journey for my friend, her husband, and their boys because their daughter has had her struggles. But the gift of God’s grace is that she is continuing to grow and thrive as part of her family.
These are only some of the stories of God’s grace being met through a newborn baby’s cry or through a toddler’s first words. There are so many other stories I could share with; the story of my seminary classmates and friends who got pregnant and adopted in the same year. Each of these stories is filled with the beauty and gift of God’s grace in our lives. God’s grace always finds us. God’s grace is “there in the darkest night of the soul and it is there in the sweetest songs of victory.”
In fact, as I type these words, tears are streaming down my face as I am reminded of the amazing beauty and elegance of God’s grace that is freely given to each and every one of us. God places it on the table for us to receive. Sometimes it just takes a while for God to place it into our own hands or for us to see it sitting upon the table of grace. (Perhaps I should listen to my own words here! It is a truth I know…but in the words of my friend Karrilee, sometimes I forget!)
Wow. I had tears running down MY face as I read because I remember my children's first cries and the cries of my stepdaughter's children (twins) when they were born. I was so privileged to be there at that birth of those twins who came much too early but are now teenagers in high school. A child impacted me this weekend and caused me to do some thinking. Children are among the very best gifts of all.
Shelby, children are indeed among the very best gifts of all.
I was there to witness tears streaming down my son's face at the birth of his first born!
Sharon, incredible moment for you to witness.
And here come the tears!!!! I feel like a hot mess over here. Thank you for reminding me of how precious and beautiful his grace is in every situation! Love you friend.
Laura, sorry I made you cry! I am glad that my post reminded you of how precious and beautiful God's grace is in every situation. Love you right back friend!
tara, great post! i too, have lost babies…one full-term. it does make you more sensitive to someone's loss when you have been there yourself. it truly is a grace from Bod ins't it?
Thanks, Martha! I am sorry to hear that you have lost babies yourself. It is a pain I can't even imagine.
Oh yes… how we forget! (Coincidentally – only just the opposite of that – I am writing ahead a bit today, on grace… because, of course!) 😉
Indeed how we forget. And of course, you are writing on grace today! 😛
Thanks so much for these stories of grace, obviously the parents are blessed and so are the children. And anyone connected with these families (even through this post) are also "graced."
I LOVE hearing stories of grace as they build up my faith and remind me to be thankful.
Susan, thank you! These families are truly special families. I am so glad that you LOVE hearing stories of grace because they build up your faith and remind you to be thankful.
so poignant and beautiful…
Thank You friend!
I needed to read this today. Baby #2 is on hold while I recover from depression but it's a desire of ours to have another child. Thank you for reminding me that God shows his grade in His time.
Sam, I am so glad my words were what you needed to read today. God's timing NOT ours. I know that can be so much easier said than done though.
It's a heart-tugging kind of day! Thank you for reminding us that things happen in God's time and for His glory!
You're so welcome.
Indeed–we don't know or see the whole picture of what the Artist has in mind. But there's beauty in being a willing part of the whole.
I love that…beauty in being a willing part of the whole! YES!!
God's message of grace is so sweet and, unfortunately, so easily forgotten! Thank you for the reminder!
It really is so sweet, but so easily forgotten. You're welcome for the reminder.
I love the song from Matt Redman and your words today about grace are so meaningful as a mom and also a woman who lost two babies through miscarriage. God's amazing grace saves us every time. Thank you friend!
I love that Matt Redman song too. I am so glad my words were meaningful to you today, Mary! God's amazing grace does save us every time. You are so welcome friend!