I'm not certain how it came to be that this was the item we came to search for. When ever I see this image now, I think of not only my son and the adventures we shared, but I also think of my daughter - as there are two children in the picture. And I think of how awesome it is we have guardian angels to watch over us.
This morning my heart is heavy with worry over a child, a family member. I do not feel I need share the details, as they are vague and scattered and honestly I'm reeling in what is what. It is something like when you hear of someone doing something very wrong and you do not want to believe it, but yet, you do not want to be the fool. I'm in that place. I do not know what to believe or exactly how to feel.
The burden isn't in finding the truth, but in finding peace in knowing that precious child has known nothing but struggle and pain from the moment she came into this world. I have prayed over her, and prayed over her. I've prayed for her medical needs. I've prayed for parents. I've prayed and prayed and prayed. I've saved every photo I've seen of her, I've looked back through them over and over. I smile every time I walk into the kitchen and see her precious face on my fridge.
This morning, my burden is being too far away to wrap my arms around her, love her and love her and love her as I pray over her. I want desperately to tuck her in my arms and hold her tightly and bring peace and love and comfort to her injured little body, to her broken little soul. Only a few months old and she's spent more time in the hospital than at home - or close to it. And now she is in the custody of her state, away from what she knows. It breaks my hearts, deeply.
And so as I prayed over her last night, and again this morning, the image of this picture came to mind. As if God was reminding me "I am watching over that beautiful baby and I will protect her. I will love her and I will comfort her" and He reminds me to continue to pray over her. I know that God does not allow harm for no good reason, that we do not suffer for vain. I know that His plan if far greater than ours and I trust Him completely in this. I know He is with her and that He will protect her, there is a reason for this situation and there is a reason for my ache.
God is working out the details for the plans He already has for her beautiful little life.
Today I am trusting God has taken my tears and wrapped them in a BIG HUG and has carried them to my precious niece. I pray that He holds her closely and showers her with love, comfort and peace.
I pray too for her parents. I pray they understand the importance of responsible parenting. About putting your child before yourself, about what it means to have unconditional love and the understanding of fighting for your child. I pray they comprehend the beautiful precious gift they were given and how blessed they are to have received her. I pray for peace, understanding and truth.
God's much bigger than all circumstances, I know this. I believe this... today I'm struggling to understand these circumstances ~ but trust His will be done.