One of my closest friends' sister had a baby on Tuesday. Although, she's not just my friend's sister, she has become a friend of mine and also happens to be kinda our neighbor, as a mile separates our homes. Her name is Anna. I have known her since she was in high school and have watched her go off to college, find the man she loves, watch her say goodbye and grieve her firstborn, and today I saw the beauty of her gaze on her newly born daughter, Kate.
When Anna was pregnant with Kate, they discovered that she has a heart defect which later led them to find out that Kate would be born with an extra special chromosome.
In April I was asked to share a devotional at Anna's baby shower. When reflecting on what I wanted to share with Anna and others at the shower...I thought of the feelings a mother goes through when becoming a parent. I asked Anna's mother, sister, and husband to also write 'Dear Anna' letters. What does every mom need to hear? Encouragement, belief, love, and support. Here is my letter to her...
What a
beautiful day to celebrate you and this precious baby. Julie asked me a
couple months ago if I could share a little devotional and this is what God
wanted me and a few from your closest circle of support to share with you...
I can
remember the first time I met you. Your beautiful brown hair was in a
pony-tail, you were sweating from hours of practice in the SRC, and you were
determined to work hard. You were a volleyball camper and I was
one of the coaches. Just finishing a drill, you came up to me and asked
what you could improve on specifically. You were introduced to me as
Julie's sister, but I am thankful to say that since that year in 2000 we have
grown into friends.
With any
new event in our lives, feelings of excitement, joy, anxiety, fear, and doubt can consume our thoughts. Will I
be able to do this? How will I know if I am equipped? What if I fail?
When I became a mother three years ago, there were many days I doubted my
ability to do this or that. Sleep, wake, burp, change, bathe, feed,
rock...all the things I was suppose to automatically know what to do.
Some days a productive day was simply a shower, or celebrating a dirty diaper, a date
night, or just time to sit down. Scripture teaches that God knows all our
needs, concerns, and desires but still commands us not to worry. Think about
that. Would He ever command something and not enable you to do it? Absolutely
not! He wants your trust and—if You allow Him—will prove to you that worry is
unnecessary.
We have
many similarities in our Type A, planner personalities, work ethics, and now an
extra special chromosome will weave us even closer. Although we will
have unique journeys, I want you to know that you will find joy in the
unexpected if you allow yourself to truly trust God.
Proverbs 16:9
In her heart a woman makes her plans, but only God
directs her steps.
Anna, God
knew what your journey would look like before your parents met in a small college
in Iowa. He knew the day you would fall in love with Paul, the
day you would welcome Molly to the world, the day you would say good bye to
her, the day you would find out you were pregnant again, and they day you would
hear the unexpected news. God does not make mistakes.
You will
be the best mommy to this precious girl. When she steals your heart for
the very first time, when she smiles at you, when she exceeds your
expectations, you will soon discover your life was made for so much more.
You'll become her biggest fan, her biggest advocate, and the biggest
encourager! Your strength of being Molly's mom has prepared you for this
baby girl.
This baby
girl will be as determined as her mama.
Trust in
the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding, in all your
ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.
Proverbs 3:5-6
I love
you Anna!
When Anna and her husband came over the night they received the unexpected news, we sat around our kitchen table and talked through many of the initial fears we also had. Each day Chris and I continued to pray for all of them. We rejoice in knowing God gave them this fearfully and wonderfully made, perfect, precious little girl. They will be the best parents for her and I can't wait to raise our children together. We are in this together.
As they left that night and the tears started to change to smiles I boldly said..."Don't worry, it's already worked out...our Jack will marry your daughter and they can live in the apartment that we build onto our house."
Jack and Kate.
And yep...this mama is already praying for it. :)
All jokes aside, check out the video clip where these two love birds are getting hitched this summer. Love it. So...maybe it's not too far off.
