I’ve been quiet for a while, and that’s been on purpose. For one, I needed a break from social media and the screaming voices of political madness so I could clear my head, and two, it was an incredibly busy week.
We had the little man’s 3rd birthday party, a Toy Story celebration, complete with Woody, Buzz, and the whole gang. He loved it, and so did we. But, as a total surprise to my daughter, Emmie, we had a proposal and engagement party, as well. Take a moment and enjoy the proposal.
Sweet, isn’t it? He planned this out for months. It took place at the site of their first date, his mother and I were there with the kids, and he arranged for her best friend from Florida to be there, too. Then, later that evening, she arrived at our house to get the kids, only to find all of his family, and hers, there to celebrate their future together. It was really, really special.
I’ve not talked a lot about her past, and the events leading up to her previous marriage. It’s not my story to tell, even though a lot of it was really difficult for me, personally. Suffice to say that I’ve spent a lot of time on my knees, both in the early days, and throughout, as the story played out. There were great gifts that grew from it – namely, three- and almost six-year-old pieces of my heart – so I truly wouldn’t try to rewrite that story, now, in retrospect, but there were some dreams I had for my daughter that were lost, and I grieved their death.
Now, on the other side of this special weekend, my heart is bursting. For her happiness, certainly, but also for mine. The Lord redeems, ladies and gentlemen. I had to make a decision to trust Him with my daughter all those years ago, when I really didn’t want to, when I wanted to rush in and do what I thought was best, trying to be a savior, myself. I had to grieve, and bury, and trust that His dreams for her were better than my own. So He walked with her through some tough times, molded and shaped her, answered some of my life-long prayers for her that I now see wouldn’t have been answered any other way.
And then He brought this new man into her life whom we would’ve picked for her ourselves.
A man who treasures her and her children enough to pledge his life to their love and care, and goes to great lengths to show it. And, just like that, the Lord pulled those old dreams from the dirt, dusted them off, and breathed new life into them, my own version of Lazarus, raised from the dead.
Yes, the Lord redeems. It’s what He does best.
Don’t give up hope, my friends. Don’t ever give up hope.
“I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten—
the great locust and the young locust,
the other locusts and the locust swarm—
my great army that I sent among you.
You will have plenty to eat, until you are full,
and you will praise the name of the Lord your God,
who has worked wonders for you.” Joel 2:25-26 NIV
Absolutely precious!!! As someone who is so grateful for the Boaz in my life, I can so relate! REDEEMED!!!
This was so beautifully written. I cried as I felt your pain and rejoiced at your joy of this coming union. How I admire your unending faith and your ability to ‘keep your head while those about you are losing theirs’ and I applaud you for your loving spirit.
Amen!! So very thankful!!!!
Melinda, I remember those days of pain for you, and how many of prayed diligently for your girl and for you. It is a beautiful thing to see how God redeems all that He allows. You have two lovely grandchildren as evidence of that. I pray Emmie and her kiddos will be supremely happy.
Rejoicing with you!
Beautiful.
Needed to hear those words this morning. Thank you, Melinda.
Beautiful. Just beautiful. Praise God for His merciful redemption! He makes all things new.
I continue to be so blessed by your heart and how you so willingly share it with all of us who love you so much. Every word you wrote added a ray of sunshine to my day.
I’m so very happy for you and the entire family. Such a beautiful story of God’s love and faithfulness.
Thank you for this wonderful post that has encouraged my heart. I love you!
Praise be to our glorious Lord for His mercy and grace to us, for hearing and answering our prayers, and making all things new in His time. Thank you for sharing your tender heart and your beautiful gift of sharing your wisdom and keen insights. May God bless you and your beautiful family.