When each day is worth celebrating!

Saturday we got to spend the day at Doug and Susie's house with Gwen and Tim and the kids.  Of course baby Grace was the highlight of the day.  It is so much fun to watch the kids experience their new cousin, up close and personal.  Lia, at almost 11, is quite good at handling the baby.  She is always anxious for a turn to hold that baby.  Ellie's fascination with everything about Grace is so interesting to watch.  She spent some time just looking at Grace's tiny fingernails.  I am sure that Ellie was imagining painting them at some point in the future!  This picture about sums up Zeke and Grace.  I was saying that Zeke looks positively angelic while holding Grace!  He would sit like this for a very long time (if there weren't many, many other people waiting for a turn to hold Grace).  And then there is Anna.  Well, Anna doesn't quite know what to make of this new baby in our family.  She is very used to being the littlest.  She really doesn't like it when Gwen holds Grace and she makes it very clear that she is not really ready to be anywhere near her.  Pretty typical for a three year old!

There was something so special and so bitter sweet about having our grandchildren together with us.  In this picture, Ellie is holding Lucas Bear, who wears a shirt that says "I'm gonna be a big brother".  No matter what the occasion or event, we will always be missing Lucas.

And today I was reflecting on just how perfect the name Grace is!  I was a bit surprised when this name showed up as a possible contender, before she was  born!  I love this name and never thought that I would see it used in our family.  Grace is such an amazing thing.  It can mean......

*Unmerited divine assistance given humans
*a special favor
*disposition to or an act or instance of kindness, courtesy, or clemency
*a pleasing appearance or effect
*the quality or state of being considerate or thoughtful
*a short prayer at a meal asking a blessing or giving thanks.


Yes, Grace is our "rainbow baby".  A rainbow baby is one that joins a family after the loss of a child.  Looking at the possible definitions of grace, I believe that she is named exactly right!  She does represent God's special favor to our family.  She certainly has a pleasing appearance.  So far she has been a calm and peaceful baby.  And we are certainly seeking God's blessings and giving thanks for her!  She fits this all so well!

Today I heard an older song "Your Grace Finds Me" by Matt Redman.  

I was struck by the very first line of the song.... "It's there in the newborn cry".  The entire song spoke to me.  Yes, I believe that our precious little Grace was born for such a time as this.  Our world needs more grace.  Just as the song says, it is for the entire world.  

There is a plan and destiny for Grace.  She will have an impact on all those around her.  She was born because of the great grace of Jesus.  I can't wait to watch as the love and grace and mercy of Jesus is spread around by our sweet Grace.  And just for good measure, here is a picture of Grace.

I believe that we can all get a new perspective on our world, just by listening to this song.  I encourage you to spend the five minutes it takes and stop and listen.  I certainly needed this reminder today and I know that many of you also need this.

Jesus, thank you for the reminder of your great grace.  What a wonderful and perfect gift you have given to our family in sweet Grace.  Holy Spirit, help us all to remember that God's grace is for the entire world.  Give us your perspective on those around us.  Amen

When songs say it all......

So this song Blessed Be the Name of the Lord brought me to tears this morning.  This grief thing is taking me by surprise at so many turns.  All of a sudden I will just be hit with one of those waves of sadness that just seems overwhelming.  And then this song Who I Am was the next song up and there it was again.  This morning, it was these songs that just brought to the surface all the feelings that are swimming around in my spirit.

I was on my way to Gwen's house to watch her kids while she worked.   And I was so thankful to be able to hug Anna and Zeke this morning.

I had plenty of time to reflect on the way these songs had touched me this morning while Anna took a break for a snack.. Both of those songs are worth listening to, maybe even more than one time.  The messages that they contain are so important....not just for me...but for every one of us.  Blessed Be the Name of the Lord ends with these lyrics...

Blessed be the name of the Lord

Blessed be Your name

Blessed be the name of the Lord

Blessed be Your glorious name

You give and take away

You give and take away

My heart will choose to say

Lord blessed be Your name

Yes, my heart has been making a choice to say, "Lord Blessed be your name."  It has not been easy, but there has been grace to do that.  And then as I listened to Who Am I, these lyrics touched me..

 Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth

Would care to know my name

Would care to feel my hurt

Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star

Would choose to light the way

For my ever wandering heart

Not because of who I am

But because of what You've done

Not because of what I've done

But because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading

Here today and gone tomorrow

A wave tossed in the ocean

A vapor in the wind

Still You hear me when I'm calling

Lord, You catch me when I'm falling

And You've told me who I am

I am Yours, I am Yours

So I am just going to leave this blog tonight, with these two songs.  I am praying that as you listen to them (just click on the song titles above) you will be blessed.  It is hard to continue to be honest on this blog when honest is being undone by a couple of songs.  But I am thankful for music and lyrics that express the feelings that are in my spirit that I can't find the words to say.   And I am thankful for hugs and kisses from family members.  And I am thankful for knowing who I am.... I belong to Jesus.

Thank you Jesus for music that exposes and expresses my true feelings.  Thank you for the reminder of your great love and care for me.   Holy Spirit, reach and touch all who stop and listen to these songs and read this blog.  Jesus, thank you for hearing me when I call out to you.,  Amen