Love Hopes All Things

It is a universal truth that grandchildren bring great joy.  I have seen friends make fools of themselves when their grands were near. I’ll admit, I could not wait for that experience. However, to repeat the words of my dear mother, “You don’t want to get the cart before the horse.”

When the unexpected happens, responses can range from sorrow to great joy. Perspective, time, and prayer are often needed to embrace any situation. That was certainly true after our youngest son, Luke, and his girlfriend announced that they were having a child. Fear and worry were all consuming, that is until the Holy Spirit began to whisper God’s truths through His word in Psalms 139…

“Her frame was not hidden from You, when she was made in secret…”

“Your eyes saw her unformed substance; and in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for her, when as yet there was not one of them…”

In other words, Heaven was not surprised. Our Father knew about sweet Eliza Ann before the beginning of time. When my man and I went to meet her, it was a surreal-type moment as we looked into her dark-blue eyes and traced the lines of her beautiful lips. The three hours holding her passed quickly as scriptures ran through my mind.

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose…” Romans 8:28 

“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails…” 1 Corinthians 13:7-8

I silently prayed, Oh Lord, May Your hand be upon her to guide her and protect her. Send Your angels concerning her to guard her in all her ways. Let her rise up and call upon Your name.

Is there uncertainty for this young mom and dad? Yes, but are all things possible with God? Indeed. They have been faced with choices. The first one was made correctly. They chose life. Was it the harder path? Most definitely. Doing what’s right in the sight of God is not always easy.

Could God use this sweet baby to teach her daddy about love? I pondered.

You see, Luke was diagnosed with RAD (Reactive Attachment Disorder) as are many that are raised in an Ukrainian orphanage. After we adopted him, doctors informed us that Luke had never attached to another human being, therefore he did not learn to love or trust another. I will tell you that I got fiercely angry with the enemy of the world when I realized how he had worked to destroy my son’s life and thousands of orphans. God’s greatest commandment is to love and the devil schemed to steal that ability. 

Greater are you Lord…

One of the most pivotal moments in my life is when I looked into the eyes of our first born, Taylor Rae. I knew with certainty that there had to be a God that loved me to have given us such a gift. I have a sneaky suspicion that the same thing is happening to Luke. If we believe that God’s plans are perfect—Only He could orchestrate such a strategy to teach my son the meaning of love.