Morning coffee

It has been a while since I have written, but my heart and mind have been so full. After returning from an amazing trip to Israel, I nervously made it through a few milestones in the pregnancy. I am now almost 17 weeks and the first trimester is behind me. We had an amazing ultrasound at the 12 week mark and I was astounded by what we were able to see. Little hands, a round belly, and a precious profile delight two new parents. In the midst of it all, work has been very busy and my folks have moved to a new nest in the NC Mountains, which is where I am at this moment. While sitting on the deck watching the sun rise over the mountains, you can't help but reflect. My mind wanders like the visible warmth drifting up from my coffee cup, which by the way,is a perfect companion this cold morning excepting the fact that it is decaf! So my wandering mind settles for a time on work...

Let me share a work story as it is in its simplicity the heart of who Bethany Christian Services is. There is a young woman who discovered she was pregnant not too long ago and she knew then that she was not prepared to provide adequately for this little one. Bethany exists to give women true choices…ways to choose to honor the life that God has created even when circumstances make that choice seem impossible. She began working with Bethany to find a family who is ready to be the parents to this child in ways that she bravely recognized she could not at this time. Her little girl was born not too long ago and for what reason we will never understand, she was born with only the stem of her brain. The rest of the area where her brain should have been was filled with empty fluid. As the brain stem controls the basic functions of life, this little one would survive for some amount of time, whether it was days or months no doctor could say. Here is where you see the heart of Bethany. Many other adoption agencies would have nothing more to do with this situation…the complexities are numerous and clearly finding a family prepared to be parents in this situation become much more difficult. But if we truly believe that God is the author of life and nothing created by him is anything less than wonderful and amazing, why would we see this little one any differently? Emotionally overwhelmed, the young mom felt that continuing with her decision to place this little one in Bethany’s care was the right decision. Over the days that followed, much prayer, concern, tears, and smiles were lavished on this little girl and she was fought for and advocated for as any parent would for cherished life. Bethany continued to search for the family who would respond to God’s call to be parents to this little one for whatever time God gave her and staff and volunteers surrounded her crib with their loving presence throughout the days. One volunteered shared of singing over her while cradling her in her arms for hours one evening and it made me think of Zephaniah’s words, “The Lord your God is mighty to save. He will quiet you with His love. He will rejoice over you with singing.” The Lord was mighty to save and he took his daughter home with Him several days ago. At the time of this beautiful transition from life to death to eternal life, this little girl was surrounded by her new family as well as her grandmother who was there holding hold her during those final moments. We will never know how God used this baby’s short life but we are confident that He did. God brings beauty out of the ashes. He breathes redemption into a fallen and imperfect world. His purposes are never thwarted. I am humbled that I get to be a part of this Kingdom work that God advances through Bethany.