There was a whole lot of laughing coming from the nursery this morning.
Normally, the little guy wakes up happy (if he’s not happy, I know he’s not done yet, so I let him fall back to sleep. Like mother, like son).
This morning, however, he was in full chortle. Laughing so hard it was contagious.
And what was the source of all this joy? Our Little Man discovered his toes.
And, really, what could be funnier than toes?!
And as he laughed, I laughed.
The joy was just infectious.
Life is so Good.
And then, I remembered….
…reading the Bible on a Florida beach, faced with the choice to believe.
…throwing caution to the wind, and saying “I’m In”
…being so naive and innocent, confident that life would just fall into place
I remembered…
…kneeling before God and asking “what am I supposed to do?”
…hearing Him say “just be there”
…standing before a judge to say “I can take her”
…bringing home a fifteen year old girl who used to be my cousin, but would now become my daughter.
…being scared out of my mind.
I remembered…
…lying in my bed crying, a heart aching, desperately hoping that I might, one day, meet a man who loved me.
…hoping that I could find the person who would think I was “just right” – not too loud, not too smart, not too much.
…feeling so lonely and left behind.
…crying out to God, asking “PLEASE?”
…and scared out of my mind that He might say “no”
I remembered…
…sobbing in my husband’s arms, wondering why the pregnancy test was negative, again.
…seeing the couple in the infertility clinic with giant smiles on their face, knowing that they got what I wanted.
…feeling so jealous that it ate through my bones.
“PLEASE GOD” I begged, “PLEASE?”
…so scared that He would say “that’s not what I want for you.”
And I remembered…
…the trip to the doctor when they said, “I’m sorry” and left us alone to cry.
…calling our parents to tell them things don’t look good.
We’re too old, the risk is high, it’s a one in ten chance of Down Syndrome
…praying in the shower saying “Lord, give him to us, if the other nine wouldn’t keep him”
…so scared that we might not rise to the challenge.
And now, this morning, we laughed over toes.
“For I know the plans that I have for you,” declares the Lord. “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13
{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }
Those are some awfully cute toes!
Thanks for stopping by my blog today. I've been perusing yours, and really enjoying it!
…And by the way, I've been shaving my legs with hair conditioner for a couple years now. I will never go back to shaving gel!
What a beautiful post.
My one year old brings me back down, to appreciate the small things, such as toes. It's amazing, and sad how life can get away from us.
Thanks for stopping my place, and giving me the opportunity to find yours!
Hey, Thanks for stopping by my blog for a little bit! Loved this post about toes … and so much more than toes! God bless,
s
Thanks for visiting my blog!
I love your post. It is contagious when they laugh like that, isn't it!
I have moments where I'm asking god to reveal my purpose and what is it exactly that you have in store for me.
Also, I believe that god won't give us anything we can't handle. Whatever we go through just makes us a stronger person and ready foor the next obstacle.
* Following your blog
Oh.
I'm covered in goose bumps, and there are tears in my eyes. Our are very similar journeys. This post hit so close to home for me.
God is good. Why am I always so afraid of His answers? He's proven time and time again that He wants and knows and can do the best for me.
Yours is my favorite "new" blog, btw
Thank for stopping by my blog! I love the picture you posted. Too cute.
Thank you for your interest in my Bible studies for MOMS. I have been teaching and writing for MOMS for 21 years now. My boys are grown and building their own households of faith. It has been an amazing ride with the Lord Jesus, raising my own family and getting to teach other MOMS in Biblical principles and precepts. A few years ago I started publishing my studies and adding DVD messages so other churches could purchase them and use them in their ministry to MOMS. We have 6 studies available at this time and add to them each year. Thank you for considering taking this information to your church. We are currently in about 30 churches in the States and in 3 groups outside the country in Belgium, South Africa, and Uganda. All the information is on the website at http://www.jeanstockdale.com. Thank you again for your kind words. They are life-giving to me! Like apples of gold in settings of silver….thanks so much.
Please check in with me often. My joy is connecting with Christian moms and encouraging them in the fine art of Christian parenting. Blessings to you as you raise up you flock for the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessings.
What a sad but beautiful story! Just lovely! It's the simple things in life! Happy WW!
How sweet! The greater the challenge, the sweeter the reward:-)
What a wonderful post! Your little guy is adorable!
This = beautiful.
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Wow – that made me teary eyed! What a great post and so true! God does have a plan for us – even if it is not what we think or what we would have planned.
I am reminded of God's grace and love every day he lets me keep my son. I was so worried about SIDS when he was first born but I was sure that God would take my little boy to be with Him if something happened so I knew I could rest easy. I don't want God to take my boy, but I know he has a plan for Xander's life and he knows the number of his days….and mine.
Great post!
That just gave me chills. What a beautiful story and photos and a beautiful set of toes.
This is absolutely beautiful…wow! And you have a beautiful reminder of His goodness to look at every day. That is awesome.
Sharon, you made me get all weepy. Love this post! His plans are always perfect– and He does work all things together for our good.
Wow! Thanks for visiting my blog! Your baby is precious. God is awesome and I'm so glad he's in control of my life.
oh…
wow…
Beautiful is HIS light that shines here.
He is wonderful, what an amazing morning. The small things are so big and watching our children discover them is incredible. What a wonderful post!
What a beautiful post.
You can find some commentlove for you ::here::
Have a great day!!
I got teary reading this. Your writing is so poignant. Thank you for sharing this story.
That was beautiful, Sharon. What a testimony of hope for those who are dealing with infertility. I too had to go through many questions (it took 5 years for our first daughter and 13 for the second). But the Lord is so faithful. I wouldn't trade the outcome for our marriage and life for anything.
And besides, if things happened the way we planned, I'd probably be a Grandma by now…not ready for that!!!
Beautiful, Sharon.
It's amazing what come our way sometimes! I am so glad your little man so good at laughing, what a great way to start a day!
Beautiful post, and a great reminder that He does know what he's doing.
We are blessed to laugh at toes!
THAT, my dear friend, is a blog for the ages … a real keeper.
Thanks – It will be an encouragement for the days when life doesn't seem quite so good (from my measly earthly perspective).
That was a beautiful post. G-d is so absolutely amazing. I'm glad I'm not the only one who went through some of these things! Keep on sharing your wonderful thoughts!
How is it that I’ve been following you for so long and never read this?!
Oh, my dear blogging friend, thank you for sharing. How beautiful the tapestry is when we look back on it all, yes?
“For I know the plans I have for you…”
Wow, what a great post! It is so amazing to look back on all God has done!!!
.-= Carrie´s last blog .. =-.