.

As I drove to the hospital there were more tears. I cried for our baby, I cried for the fact she was in the NICU. I cried for my wife, I cried for the rest of the children, I cried for myself. I was in grief and probably did not know it. Dreams had been dashed and before new ones could form the old ones had to be grieved over. (I know that now I did not know that then)

I cried as I called my parents and other friends and family I needed to tell. After a while I could call no more, it was just too much. Over the next few days as a new way of life at the hospital took hold there were still tears. During the weeks in the hospital right up until we cried tears of joy to take her home, weeping was a way of life.

As I look back on those days now I am reminded that you never really know how you will respond in certain situations. It is easy to talk about how you will respond as opposed to how you will really act. Those days taught me much about myself, I will never forget them and they will shape me for the rest of my life. I am certain of that.

Now I find myself asking one question, why the tears?

If I would have known then what I know now about God’s mighty hand the tears that flowed would have been for joy. In just six short months God has taken our Graice and turned our world upside down.

No one in my world smiles more that Gracie and there is nothing I love to see more than her smile. She has the sweetest disposition, one I wish I could pass on to myself and all the others in this world who find it hard to muster up a smile.

No one and I mean no one I know has been prayed for more than Gracie. In just six short months people have been praying for her all over the world. Everywhere I go and everyone I see has asked about Gracie. They have told me of there own prayers and for those they had asked to pray for her. Old friends and family I had not seen in months or years all ask me or my parents about how she is doing. I am certain the Lord has been overwhelmed with the prayers of His people for this little girl.

I was sitting in a wedding the other day and an aunt I had not seen in probably years turns around looks at Gracie and declares to me, ‘she is an angel’, I could only smile and agree. By the shear force of Gods love He has brought a family, friends and a church together for one cause, Gracie.

Then there are the phone calls from people I love dearly who I had not talked to in quite a while. They have brought tears to my eyes just at their thoughtfulness and kind words. Let’s don’t forget the cards and letters that still keep coming. These cards are filled with words of encouragement that force you to read them over and over again.

As I pause and think that many marriages fold under the stress of the last six months but I find that God has worked in reverse here. I have found myself loving my wife more and wanting to take care of her needs more than ever before. Even seeing her needs has been a great step of progress for me. Things she used to do alone she now has a partner, as it always should have been. I have found myself loving her more and seeing her in a different light.

Stronger love in my marriage, better relationships with my family, a bond to a church, prayers lifted up daily, new friends made, a better appreciation for good health, seeing God meet financial needs and the list goes on and on and all because of a sweet spirited girl with a golden smile.

What great love the Lord has shown me, just thinking about it brings a tear to my eyes.

• Remember what we see with tears for the moment God can turn to joy in His time. His plans are always bigger and better than we can imagine. God has a way of showing love in the most unlikely of ways. Today you may find yourself struggling greatly, if so fall into the arms of a loving God and trust Him, even with your hurts, especially with your hurts.

** If today or anytime you need a special prayer please feel free to send that request to the email address below with the title special request and my wife and I will lift you up in prayers. Your prayers will be strictly confidential, may God Bless you.

Scripture: Ephesians 3:20, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,”

2 Corinthians 12:9, “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

Prayer: Dear Lord, we thank you that you love us so, that you take our week moments and make us strong. Help us to release all things to you, the little and the large. Help us to see your strength in week things, help us to be week things. We ask these things in Christ name, Amen.