Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Dearest God,

I got the call. Just a few words. "Mom, I got to hold him." Sweet words. Rylan was taken off the second ventilator. On some other kind of breathing appartatus, he is nearing wholeness. Tears filled my eyes. My grandson had lain in the arms of his mother for the first time.

They texted me a picture on my cell phone. There he was with just a plastic tube in his nose. How beautiful he is. The picture of God. I recognized the likeness. The sweet hint of the divine growing within this baby.

Made in your image. I see his possibilities. I know his parents will sing your praises. We know prayer has saved him. He still has a ways to go but he appears to have turned the corner. Reunited with his mom and dad, he responded well to their lingering touch.

A long time ago my daughter was intrinsically tied to me. I was worried about her. But yesterday when I observed her standing with her husband, the two of them leaning down gazing at their baby son, I knew that you had healed her heart, strengthened her with faith, lead her in courage to tense moments. Transformation. Complete.

These two have come a long way in their marriage and family. And frankly she has grown in so many ways. She's no longer dependent, clingy, needy. This woman has risen up out of the ashes. She is strong, robust in faith. She has returned to you as a light for others. That's partly why her new son is drawn to her. His little life in the darkness here at the beginning has reached for the light. And the light has shone.

As I write a few miles away from them, I feel a sense of peace, knowing you are with them. You have been the unseen presence in the labor room, the hospital room, the intensive care nursery. As a mother I have seen courage growing, trust taking root, deep.

I step back and marvel at your ways. A mother gives life to her child so she can lead the child to the light. Jill will daily shine light on her son. She will whisper your goodness to him. She will tell him about light overcoming darkness. She will model light to him. In prayer she will lift him to you, honoring your light in him. Light will shine overhead in their home.

Glorious Light
shining,
shimmering in the darkness,
You are
the God
to be praised,
to be honored,
to be revered.
Jesus said it well,
"the light shined..."
Your warm light
encapsulates
those hungry
for the light.
And for those
already standing in the light
their praise
rises up like incense
to give worthily
to you.
Your light
has shined
upon our family
one more time.
And this mother,
grandmother
stands ready
to offer her praise
and prayers of thanksgiving.
God be glorified
again and again.

Most grateful, Andrea