Mighty Maren

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Ephesians 3:16-21

IMMEASURABLY MORE THAN ALL WE ASK OR IMAGINE!! I am sitting here in a quiet hospital room with my day and half old baby. Day and a half!! The tears are rolling down my cheeks as I recall every aunt, uncle, and cousin meeting Maren in the last twenty-four hours. I had originally told everyone no, sorry, we want all the time she has, just Daddy, Mommy, James, and Maren. But then she stayed with us for another hour. And then another. And suddenly she had made it through an entire day. We prayed for time . . . and God has given us immeasurably more than all we asked for or imagined. We prayed for two or three hours. Enough to hold her and love her and release her back to her Father's arms . . . and we are overwhelmed with gratitude for the hours we have had.

So many people told us over the last few months they were praying for a miracle. I know many people meant a miraculous healing, that the Trisomy 13 diagnosis would somehow be wrong and we'd have a perfectly healthy girl. All along I've said the miracle would be time. With the Trisomy 13 diagnosis and a 50/50 chance of stillbirth, I prayed and prayed for a few hours with her. I didn't allow myself to hope or pray for more than that. The fact that she has been with us for so long is such a miracle. I am so thankful!! I'm also sad for other families who haven't had so much time with their precious little ones. I can't explain why we get this blessing when others don't. All I know is that I want to fall on my face in front of my Lord and cling to his feet and say thank you, thank you, thank you. I know the hard times are coming, but this gift . . . this gift . . . my precious miracle girl . . . we will get through this.

We are going home tomorrow. Home. We are taking our daughter home. We are simultaneously thrilled and flabbergasted. The hospital has contacted hospice and we'll have lots of support, but Maren will be surrounded by her family in our sweet little home. I can't believe it. I am so incredibly grateful that God has given us this time to love her and soak in her beauty. The doctors can't really tell us if we have hours or days or weeks, but we will take any time we can get. We can't stop staring at her and murmuring how amazed we are.

Last night I sang "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" to her as she slept. This song has held great meaning for me for many, many years, but a new layer of gratefulness has been added to my song of praise this week.

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father. 

There is no shadow of turning with Thee.

Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not. 

As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

Great is Thy Faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! 

Morning by morning new mercies I see.

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided. 

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.

Thanking God for his great faithfulness tonight more than ever. And thank you, friends, for all your prayers. Great is His faithfulness.