new and beautiful things

by Alanna

  It's the eve of Mother's Day, 

and I'm rejoicing tonight 

because God is doing beautiful things. 

My first nephew was born last Friday night, 

a living, breathing little person, 

with brand new soft skin and eyes wide open. 

It's my sister-in-law's first Mother's Day as a mom.

They've been given such a precious gift

and watching them love him is incredible. 

My cousins have also been given a gift- 

a little girl growing inside, due to arrive this summer. 

They were separated from their first children. 

This Mother's Day, there will be not only hurt but also a reason to rejoice. 

My dear friend lost her first son in Africa. 

He is now in the arms of His Father, 

but every Mother's Day 

has been a reminder of her loss. 

This year, her and her husband began the adoption process for another child. 

And just this past week, they accepted the referral for a little boy in Africa! 

Tonight, my friend is not only a mother bereaved, 

but a mother expectant

with hope and anticipation for the day they get to bring home their son. 

Then there's all these stories of former orphans, 

being tucked in tonight by their moms.

 Those little ones, so long prayed over, never forgotten by their Father. 

I have a list of 70 kids that I've known and loved and prayed for, 

those who are now in families of their own.

God is doing new and beautiful things.

Children can't be replaced, loss is real, 

and grief is not ended by new joy.

Time spent as an orphan can never be undone.

But God gives new gifts, always.

His plans for us are beyond our imagination.

Tonight I am thankful.

I'm thankful that God is creating new life, 

that He is putting together families.

This mother's day,

I don't need to prove to anyone that I am a mom.

He is here in my heart, and tonight

I'm praising God that He gave me such a gift.

I'm praising Him that my little one has a family.

And most of all tonight, I want one thing.

I want for Him to receive the glory,

Because He does new things.