I came down to my chair this morning for my usual quiet time, and thought about this day, and what was supposed to be happening on this day (Our Babysweete was to be moved to her “permanent” home)and felt again the fascination I felt this week about how God works in each of us in different ways, knows our thoughts and knows what we need, and supplies those needs in ways that go beyond what we would expect.
That was exactly what happened on Tuesday morning. Listen, dear friends, to yet another regaling of provision given this Delaware Grammy in an hour of great need.
Tuesday morning I came downstairs, took note of the fact that it was Tuesday already and Friday was coming! I thought about our precious little Babysweete and grabbed my prayer journal and a pen to write a lament to the Father about the whole situation and to BEG Him to “PLEASE, DO SOMETHING!!!” As my hand opened my prayer journal I felt a soft, insistent urging in my heart.
“Read today’s Bible Reading before you write.”
I didn’t want to. I wanted to put all my raw emotions down, and I explained that to The Father, but the Insistent Voice would not be stilled. “Read today’s Bible Reading FIRST! Then you can write all you want.”
I reluctantly put my journal and pen back onto the blanket chest beside my chair and pulled my tattered Grace for the Moment Daily Bible onto my lap. I opened the pages and looked again at the dogeared index card that marked my place. The #1 item was “Babysweete’s Future.” The card sticks out over the top of the pages, and every time I pick up the Bible, I see those words and think, “Lord Jesus, what is to become of our baby-girl?”
Tuesday morning, the index card was stuck at September 25th. It was a long reading. I may have sighed a bit, but dug in and started to read. The Old Testament reading was from Isaiah 41 and 42. How I love Isaiah! And before long, I had an incredible sense of the comforting presence of the LORD. This particular devotional Bible is the New Century Version, (my favorite translation). and the words sifted into the cracks of my soul and I was suddenly at peace. I read and reread some of the verses, then finished my Bible reading, and then picked up my prayer journal and began to write.
******
Father God,
The days of this week are slipping by with the quiet swiftness of Autumn coming on. It’s Tuesday, and Fridays a’comin! Friday. The day once again designated as Babysweete’s departure day– I had meant to come here and spread my heart before you once again; my tears and words and open hands begging for one more miracle, one more stay, one more chance at keeping in our family this precious baby girl that is so loved by Raph and Gina and Si and Liam and Frankie . . . (and us all!) I had pulled up my prayer journal, chose a pen, when there was a check in my spirit. “Read your Bible reading for today, FIRST!”
I argued, Father God – You know that, but then I laid my prayer journal and my burning words aside to read from Your Word, and it has brought me comfort and peace.
Isaiah 41:4 & 10.
Who caused this to happen?
Who has controlled history since the beginning?
I, the Lord, am the one. I was here at the beginning,
and I will be here when all things are finished.
“So don’t worry, because I am with you.
Don’t be afraid, because I am your God.
I will make you strong and will help you;
I will support you with my right hand that saves you.”
Isaiah 42:3 & 4
He will not break a crushed blade of grass
or put out even a weak flame.
He will truly bring justice;
He will not lose hope or give up
until he brings justice to the world.
And people far away will trust his teachings.”
Lord Jesus, for all my heart burdens, for our family, (especially Babysweete and Raph and Gina’s family, but also for all of these ones that I love) and for all the other heartaches that call my attention away from you, may I choose to remember that YOU HAVE THIS! You will bring justice, you will not lose hope and You will not give up!”
****
“Babysweete won’t be leaving Friday . . . ”
Rivers of joy swelled up inside of me and started spilling over my cheeks. I stood in my kitchen and gave humble, grateful praise for yet another answer to our prayers. Listen, my friends. The story isn’t over yet (and I know that even better than I wish I did) but one day at a time, one step at a time, God has intervened, proven that He is the Master of the Timing, the Blessed Controller of All Things, and “even if – – -“ I intend to trust Him.
Our hearts give humble, grateful praise.
Delaware Grammy 
This brought tears to my eyes. As grandmas we have so many burdens. I love the verses that you read. I also love the hymn “How Firm a Foundation” that is based on these verses in Isaiah 41 and 43.
We grandmas DO carry many burdens, Garcia. But just think! We are so blessed, too! We can pray and pray and pray for these ones we love- think how many people out there have NO ONE to pray for them. And then we KNOW WHERE TO GO with our requests and petitions and heartaches. I’m so convinced that we Grandmas that know Jesus and BELIEVE are called to example before our families (as well as the rest of the world) what a difference having faith makes in a world that thrives on skepticism, pleasure and greed. For me, at least, it takes faith to make it through- a faith that does not panic though it grieves, that does not compromise, even while opening our hearts to people who don’t agree, a faith that looks expectantly for the return of JESUS, even while hoping for “one more of our loved ones to come safely home.” Blessings to you today. Garcia. Keep the faith