Monday, April 1, 2013

Vivian

This time of year means so much to our family.  Not only the most glorious story of redemption, the work of Christ on the cross...deliverance from eternal punishment.  Our Savior came and lived and died and ROSE from the grave in victory.  All without sin.  Because we are full of sin.  We need Him and He came to our rescue!!

This is also the time of year we are remembering a child we were never able to hold.  Sweet Vivian Grace.  She was an orphan, full of pain and sickness.. without love and without any hope in this life.  Once lost and then FOUND and rescued from her abandonment.  Given love, medicine and nourishment. We were matched as her family.  Longing to bring her home and raise as our own.  And then God, gracious in all of His mercy, brought Vivian to her eternal home.  He brought her to her complete healing where she will never be in pain again.  How awesome to serve a God like this!  That loves like this, that binds up the brokenhearted and heals their wounds. Psalm 147:3  And then through her death, God allowed us to see- even more- His eternal purpose. "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal." 2nd Corinthians 4:18.   Temporal = enduring for a time only.  (not eternal)  



Friends, this life is so short.  Jesus' work on the cross is the only thing that matters.  The only thing that lasts.  We can only be completely confident in this truth!

Our pain was so great.  It was this time 2 years ago we were on our knees begging God to bring Vivian home.  To heal her.  And He did answer us.  He was more faithful than we could have dreamed.  It is weird how death can actually help you see God's plan clearer.  How your faith can grow and even through tears how we can see the beauty in the suffering because that is the heart of God. He loved us SO much He sacrificed His son.  I can only imagine how He welcomed Vivian into His arms... into His presence.  That brings so much peace to my heart. Here she is with her sweet quiet laugh.  Love having this to remind me of the love of our Father.  The Father to the fatherless.