So much of the Christian celebration of Easter is about pausing to remember. We celebrate Lent by retracing those last days of Jesus and remembering what He did for us on that cross all those years ago. I suppose it is only fitting that this morning as I was sitting in church, I remembered.We took the children into "big church" for the first portion of the service so they could watch the childrens' choir perform a Palm Sunday procession. As I sat in that pew with 2 of my children on my lap, my precious husband to my left with the third child on his lap, tears began to stream down my face. (They have returned as I am typing this post.) I was overwhelmed by the current state of affairs of my life. I am healthy. My children are here. My husband and I love one another deeply.
Thank you, Father. THANK YOU that it was not Your Will for me to miss this. I am not being overly dramatic. I was very close to leaving this Earth. When I was admitted to the hospital with pre-term labor 3 years ago this week, my children were perilously close to missing this life. But, God had a different plan for us. I do not know why...Is it really my place to ask? So, instead, I remember and I am overwhelmed with gratitude.
"But then I recall all you have done, O Lord; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works. O God, your ways are holy. Is there any god as mighty as you?" Psalm 77:11-13 (NLT)
22 comments:
and thank YOU for sharing it with US
What a beautiful photo. You have reminded me how important it is sometimes to stop and remember all the things you have to be grateful for. So often we get so caught up in everyday life events that we forget.
I am glad you are here too...
Blessings during this special Holy week....
Connie
I rejoice with you that it was God's sweet will to bless you with the lives of your children and that it was His will to save your life, too. I have often thought that because of the birth story with all its complications, etc. you have a different perspective from the rest of us. You truly realize how blessed you are to be alive and with them each day. I hope that made sense!
I just love your heart, and I am thankful to get to read it!! You are a blessing to me! And, the pic of your children is precious as always! How blessed you are, sweet friend.
Love you,
Mom and Dad
I'm glad you shared your inmost feelings with us out here in blog world. I LOVE this photo of your children...one I would for sure blow up and put on my wall, but I'm sure you have a lot of those photos :)
Our pastor spoke about time and using it wisely this weekend. It is so clear from your writings that you intend to use yours to the best of your ability and for the glory of God. This post brought tears to my eyes,also. Thanks for sharing.
I had a 4 year old when my twins were born 2 months premature after being rushed on an ambulance to Atlanta, and 6 years later we had our 4th! We had tried to have children for years, and only on God's timing we got them! I too came close to loosing my life when our 4th was born. I am now 53 years old and you bless my heart! I miss my young babies when I read about yours, your kiddos crack me up to the point my husband wants to know what I'm laughing at. But mostly......I know when I read your site that God is going to BLESS ME! You are an awesome mom! Hang in there.......you're doing a great job!
Golly, between your amazing post and the comments above, I am now in tears! I know God is so pleased with how grateful you are for the blessings in your pew this morning. Your post makes such a wonderful point that His grace is mostly just overwhelming - and never ending. Thanks for the reminder.
Oh, and the pictures? LOVE THEM!!
We all have our crosses to bear. It is through our sufferings on this Earth that we complete Christ's sufferings. We must all pick up our crosses and rejoice in them!!!
Thankful you are here and part of our lives!!
love that photo! and thanks for sharing your heart!
Wow! This post.....and photo....are just beautiful, as is your heart shining through in your words.
Recently I met a mother who was expecting triplets. I welcomed her into our local triplet group and was very supportive to her. She then went into labor at 19 Weeks and delivered one of her babies. A few weeks later the other two came. They were all to small to survive. This event amongst other things going on in my life has made me so very grateful and aware of just how blessed I am. I often tell people that Jon and I won the baby lottery. I feel so blessed to be the mother of three happy, healthy, and wonderful children. Just today I came across a letter Jon wrote to me the day after the babies were born. He wrote it from the perspective of the kids. I cried and cried. I feel so overwhelmed and blessed by what God has given me, a wonderful husband and three awesome children. I appreacite your post and one again feel that our lives are so very similar. God Bless.
Nicole
I have no words other than I am so thankful that the Lord saw fit for you to be here to show His grace!!!
THANK YOU!!!
I am thankful that God chose to let you fulfil your life with Ryland and these babies. You are an awesome Godly woman, he did not want these babies to miss out on you! I know he knew the children needed their mommy.
I am grateful you are here as well.
Blessings.
The pictures are priceless, I cannot get enough.
Oh another parenting book when you run out, Power of a positive mom,its fun and serious.
I love this post! I, too, came very close to dying during childbirth with a placental abruption and your prayer puts into words my exact feelings! I am so glad that God has given you more time to spend with your husband and babies, too, and that we get to peek in and see how He is working in you and molding you everyday to be more like Jesus! You are a HUGE encouragement to me and I thank you so much for your honesty in your posts b/c most days, I am feeling pretty much the same with 2 girls 14 1/2 months apart! Life can get pretty hectic but then I see how you are praying and looking to Jesus to guide you and it helps me to keep things in perspective. Because, as you know, our babies are healthy and bring too much joy into our lives for us to get bogged down with all the other stuff! Thanks again for sharing and have a great day!
ps... I love the pics of the little ones on the beach! They are just precious!
Beautifully put. And, a reminder to us all what little miracles we are all caring for.
Your family is beautiful and such a sweet gift. I can relate to the "fullness":) We are blessed indeed!
Your pictures of your kids are so beautiful. The one of them on the bridge going into the misty woods... so pretty.
God truly has a plan for you! You and your children are such a blessing to so many through something silly as a blog. Isn't that amazing? The things God uses.
Your writing shows your heart for you children and your Lord and I love reading. It's inspiring!
It's easy for me to see that Addison is a miracle, but usually I forget that the two boys are, too, even if they never had any problems or serious scares. All children are incredible gifts from God, and it's overwhelming to think that He gave me three to cherish.
And I'm so glad you're here, too--I know we're never really met, but your presence in my life over the last year has been a huge blessing :)
Amen, Sarah! I think the "perfectly healthy" children are the most amazing miracle. My hubby frequently reminds me of the miracle of life saying, "Do you know how many millions of things have to go EXACTLY right for any of us to be walking around?"
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