Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

“You knit me together in my mother’s womb…I will praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made…”

Thank you SOOO much, God, for each moment you arranged for me to be with my brother Phil and his wife Julie and my little nieces last week!  Thank you for the freedom to be human and feel sometimes scared, sometimes happy, sometimes sad, sometimes angry, sometimes confused, sometimes proud of people, and sometimes completely astounded by your mercy and miracles.  Sometimes all at the same time.

Thank you for allowing me to say goodbye to my little niece Brynne – to see and touch her intricate but empty little body.  She wasn’t there.  She was already gone to be with you.  Was she actually watching and laughing at me for being so amazed by the temporary dwelling you knit together for her to live in 22 weeks and 5 days?

Thank you for little Emma – strong, tiny, little girl!  I am just astounded she is alive.  Thank you for letting me watch her wave her hands and kick her feet.  Please keep her with us, keep her breathing, keep her growing.  Help her to feel the love that surrounds her in the NICU.  Thank you for her brave, beautiful mama – I am so proud of Julie.  I am so glad Emma has her for a mom!

Thank you for my brother!  I love him.  He is such a strong and faithful husband and Emma is blessed to have Phil for a dad.

I love this family!  Thank you for them, Lord.

And thank you for letting me get to know Julie’s mom a little bit, too, as we went through a few crazy days together.  Thank you for the kindness and warmth of the Louk’s family as we came together to love Julie and Phil and each other.

You are great, You are good.  You hold us in the palm of your hand, and nothing takes you by surprise, and you don’t drop us.  Ever.  Thank you, Father.