happy day.

When we walked in that room, and Kerline and Christie (spelling change :) were laying on the bed together, I lost my breath.  Even with all my hope and optimism and prayers, I realized I myself had never believed I would see the day.  Beautiful.  Unbelievable.  She. Is. PERFECT.

There have been so many times I have prayed for this couple...unable to do ANYTHING about their situation but befriend it, speak Christ into it and love them.  I've cried out so many times on their behalf, as they have loved and rejoiced over my little ones, uttering wordless prayers so many times and offering up my hands.  

And the reality is, there is very LITTLE I am able to actually DO about the pain in Haiti...in the world.  I am no healer, no child giver.  Money helps, sometimes, but it rarely transforms situations.  I can't even make anybody take the Jesus who CAN transform.  We can help some, but not all, and the some we can help usually have the same problem next year...next month...next day

Holding this happy little miracle, He reminded me that it's true.  I CAN'T do anything much about the pain in this world.  About the loss.  About the hunger.  About the injustices.  Only He.  And He is.  And He will.

But I can do something.

and sometimes that something is just to give all I've got

To sweat with the sweating, hurt with the hurting, cry with the crying, laugh with the laughing, love with the loving AND the hating, show and give and speak Christ with the each-and-every...and today, praise the Lord, today...

 to rejoice with the rejoicing.

To love as if my own children were hungry.  As if my own parent/friend/cousin/sister were dying.  As if my own heart was hurting.  As if my own husband was leaving.  As if my own world was crashing.

And as if my own daughter was finally in my arms.

How deep, how wide, how far the love the Father has bestowed upon us.  How sweet His voice, how faithful His hand, how Mighty to Save, and how near.  

Today could have been a very different day.  I know.  And how near He would have been all the same.  How loving.  How strong.  How sweet.  I'm just so thankful He miraculously intervened, and I truly believe He answers prayer.  I met her.

Beat that right there.  Oh my goodness.

When we got home, there was a big cluster of friends from EBS and Saccanville at the gate, and when I showed them this picture of Maxi with his daughter, every single weathered and weary hand shot up in silent praise, waving in the darkness like palms.

God is GOOD, Bondye Bonne, God is Good.  Only God.  Praise the Lord.  Surely He IS God.  

What a gift.