a thankful heart

Once upon a time ago {circa fall 2007} I was schmoozing some newly added family photos of my sweet friend Erica on facebook. It was just a random album of her beautiful family. One photo in particular came up that gave me goosebumps. It is just her and baby Gracie cuddling in her bed in pj's and it is more than beautiful to me. You see, it was exactly my hearts desire...
At that time in my life, it was coming close to the 2 and 1/2 year mark of struggling to have our own baby. I wasn't in a very good place emotionally, but I was strong in my faith and at that moment, looking at that perfect photo of what I so badly desired, I cried. No I bawled. I cried out to God and told Him my heart. I told Him what he already knew. I told him how I longed to cuddle babies in my big bed on sleepy weekend mornings in the sunshine. I desired to change my life forever and put my selfishness aside. Little did I know, my beautiful Beau bear was being knit together perfectly and quietly as I cried to Jesus. Sometimes I think He just pats our head and smiles down at us knowingly and says with a twinkle in His eye... "Oh just you wait! I have such a wonderful surprise for You!"
So now I offer these photos to you of my most precious blessings. When I look at these I think back to Erica and Gracie. I think about the Hope I find over and over again in my faith. I think about how far I've come from that desperate place and how perfectly I am loved and blessed by my Heavenly Father.