Congratulations

Congratulations to a wonderful sister and brother in law with the announcement of the coming of your little one. We wish you God's richest blessing. May your baby grow to become a healthy child. May your little one be blessed with a full and happy life. May your little one know that they are loved by many a family member. May God bless you.

Jesse tells the news to Aunts, Uncles and Grandmas and Grandpas.

I knew it was coming. I knew it in my heart.
Early this month after babysitting her children, I was told the news.
First.
Before the rest of the family knew.
I've appreciated that for days and days. I've held to that fact over and over again. First. Because they cared. Because they loved enough to know our struggles. Because they loved enough to give us the time that we needed to deal with the news.
Thank you! From the bottom of my heart, thank you!

I think though, in that moment my world was rocked. Again.
I was so excited for them. I love nieces and nephews and know the joys that children bring. I am so excited to be a part of the journey of a close friend. I am thrilled to be part of a family that believes in God and in family and in the importance of togetherness.

Don't get me wrong, I am excited.
But I'm also somewhat crushed. Hope in my heart said maybe we were next. Hope in my heart said maybe we'll have the joy of telling the family our news.
But it was not to be. God in His perfect time has said 'Not yet'. He has said that now is not our time. Now is not the time for it to happen to us. It is the time for it to happen to them. To their family and not ours. And that is why in some ways, my world fell apart at the news. In the congratulations, I wept. In my husband's arms I cried. In the joy of the moment my heart broke a little more.

But not more than I can handle. Not more than He wants me to go through. A lot, but not too much for my heart. Not to much for me. Because of His grace.

He giveth more grace when the burden grows greater.
To added affliction He multiplies grace.