As most of you already know I am the proud auntie of a new baby boy who goes by the precious name of Tuck. And let me tell you, he is precious in every way. He has been such a blessing in everyone's life. I first want to thank everyone who has reached out to help the Aldrich family. You have all been so wonderful in helping out my sister, Ryan and the boys! My heart is full of gratitude for each and every one of you.
A couple week prior to Tuck's birth, I discovered the magical world of Narnia. If you have never read "The Chronicles of Narnia" by C.S. Lewis....friends, you are missing out ;D As I read, Aslan the lion (who is the Christ-like figure of the series) completely captivated me. I kept thinking about it and how powerful the imagery was for God to be like a lion. It's perfect. With the beautiful stories of Aslan swarming around in my head and capturing my heart, I began to love lions. I just kept thinking of them and I really began to love the song, "My God's Not Dead"...you know the one, "My God's not dead He's surely alive, He's living on the inside roaring like a lion" (sorry if that's stuck in your head now, haha!) It felt great when my husband and I would belt it out at church or in the car. Aslan had put into perspective for me a beautiful new look on my savior. I was enamored by it :)
fast-forward - Then my honey decides he wants to come join us in the world on September 19 when he wasn't due to arrive until late December. Immediately I come home to help take care of all my Aldrich little boys. About 2 weeks or so into Tuck's arrival, things were just like a roller coaster. He was up and down at the beginning, doing really great then not so great. It was heartbreaking at some points. I prayed constantly for the Lord to be with Tuck and to surround him and strengthen him.
On one particular day I went up to see him with my sister and when I walked in was floored when I looked into his incubator. What did I see as I looked down to admire my little honey? A sign from my Father telling me everything is going to be just fine. I teared up and choked back tears of relief as I saw this...my treasured Lion resting upon my nephew's precious resting tummy.
“I have come," said a deep voice behind them. They turned and saw the Lion himself, so bright and real and strong that everything else began at once to look pale and shadowy compared with him.” Aslan
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I kind of did that thing where you close your eyes and shake your head for a second. It hit me like a ton of bricks. This was God's way of telling me, "Your prayer is being answered, Katurah. I am here with him, do not fear for I will never leave this baby boy, He is going to be ok for I have my healing hand upon him!" From that point forward I knew he was going to be ok. I couldn't wait to get back to the car so I could tell my sister all about how Tuck was going to be ok :) Days turned into weeks and weeks have turned into months and just look at this little miracle baby now...
And I just have to say, I have been noticing lions around him often since then. They are on his blankets and he sometimes has this little stuffed lion in his crib. I love it because I see God in those lions ;) Last week when I paid him a visit he had gained 3 ounces over night!! Praise Yahweh!! God is so good to answer our prayers. Big like this one He has faithfully answered for Tuck, and even the not so big ones.
This past Sunday morning, I was due to return home to my husband in Texas. As I was about to get ready for bed the night before I had a late night snack of chips and I'm telling you, my veneer, the cherry on top of my brand new smile I've been so excited to show my husband since I got it 4 weeks ago (that he hadn't seen yet) popped off without me even realizing it and I can't believe I'm telling you guys this, but I ate it along with my huge bite of chips, uuggghhh!!! It was awful!! Then the realization hit me that I'd be either, a.) headed home without my beautiful smile I so looked forward to showing my husband or, b.) having to stay behind to get a new one put on....*sigh. It was a total bummer. So first thing Monday morning I called the dentist office at 7:59 (they opened at 8, haha!) And asked if they had my new veneer in yet. (They had fitted me for a new one because the one I had on had cracked so they made a new one two weeks prior) Right before I called, I said a prayer to my Lord saying, "God, I know this is so selfish of me and I feel so bad even asking because there are so many other important things going on that need prayer but will you please, PLEASE have my tooth ready for me so I can put it back on before I go home to my honey?"
The secretary picks up the phone and informs me that no, they do not have my veneer ready.
:'(
I was deflated. I kept repeating to myself, "His ways are higher than mine, this is happening for a reason." And I get ready to leave Oklahoma without my new smile :p
As I finish up getting ready about 15 minutes later, my phone rings and it's my dentist...?? "Hello?" I say. "Kat, guess what?! The UPS guy just got here and delivered your new veneer!"
WHAT?! YAY!! Ahhhh! I was so excited, I'm pretty sure I did a little dance of excitement! And I just have to say, the fact that the UPS guy arrived first thing in the morning is a miracle in and of itself because I always have to wait till the end of the day to receive my packages, haha! So on my way out of town I was able to get my tooth back on and I got home safe and sound, new smile and all :D
The point of this whole post is God cares about the things that I/WE care about. He delights in showing us His love for us! Whether it be the big things (Tuck's strength and growth) to the seemingly not so big things (my smile). Shame on me for ever thinking that something I care about is something that He would not care about or have time for. I am so in love with God and thankful for His answered prayers in my life! He continues to remind me daily of His great love.
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