A Grateful Heart

Sunday, we asked our pastor to pray a prayer of dedication for Luke. He asked for words of testimony. While I didn't share then, I thought about it after. This is my heart on the matter.

I thank God that we stand here today. Not just because we are holding Luke, but because of all the steps that have brought us to this place. I thank Him for the miscarriage and the sound Biblical teaching that He used to bring us to the place of desiring to have and submitting to having more children. Then He gave us another child, and we had to say goodbye after holding his pre-term body for a few short hours. After those lessons, I thought that we had finished the course and that joy would follow closely, yet the lessons were not over. I came to think that we would never hold our brand new baby again. I struggled with finding peace with that outcome and trusting that God had put the desire for another child in my heart for a reason, but that that reason might not have been to grant it. I thank Him that He allowed us to get pregnant before we had decided if we were willing to go through that pain again and then took that child before we were able to hold him. I look at the patient and loving ways that God kept showing us that He is God and that His ways are not ours, and I say, "Thank you for Your wisdom, patience, and love." Now, I thank Him that He has filled our arms and hearts with the joy of holding Luke's precious, warm body. I would not change the journey. Each step has taught needful lessons.

Thank You, God, for Luke. He is the answer to many prayers. He is light, and life, and joy to my heart. He is precious and dear to us. Thank you for the chance to hold him today.