He sets the solitary in families
One of my favorite things about the Christmas story is the baby. Anyone with a true maternal heart (or a paternal one, for that matter) will be drawn to a good story that involves an infant. Babies mean hope and are, as someone has said, “God’s opinion that the world should go on.”
Babies bring out the best in us. Well, most of the time they do.
Last year in the Christmas column, I shared the second chapter of my brother and sister-in-law’s pilgrimage to parenthood. It had been a long journey for these two, full of unexpected turns and heartache and, finally, joy.
After years of trying to start a family and consulting specialists with no success, they sought the face of God to see what He would have them do. After some time, they sensed a call to become foster parents, opening their home to little ones in need. So they set out, completing all the requirements and receiving, finally, the coveted license.
And then a phone call changed their lives. There was, the lady on the other end said, a brand-new baby girl who needed a family. An excited young woman and her eager husband said, “Yes!” And Ashlyn Kaye, precious girlie, made one. Her adoption was finalized little more than a year later on December 9, 2008.
Then another call came just shortly after her second birthday. This time, there was a teeny boy, a preemie born at 24 weeks’ gestation who had been abandoned in the hospital. He would require much care, they were told, and could potentially be handicapped forever. Were they interested, the agency wondered?
After thinking and praying about it, they felt the indefinable nudge of the Holy Spirit, and once more they said, “Yes.” And Brady Cole made two.
Just last Friday, December 17, 2010, almost exactly 2 years after Sister’s adoption, Baby Brady, who had once been thrown away and abandoned, was officially given a family. On a cold Kansas day, their family and friends gathered in that courtroom to celebrate his adoption with joyous and grateful hearts.
Here are just a few pictures of this wonderful event:
Waiting in the hall with Brady’s social worker, a key player in his story.
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Sitting in the courtroom across from their attorney, another person who played a vital role.
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And talking with the judge who finalized everything. Look at how he’s cuddling with her in the Osh Kosh B’Gosh overalls that Aunt Rhonda sent down for him. (When Auntie heard whose denims he was wearing, she was tickled clear pink!!)
What a beautiful, beautiful story of God’s divine intervention in the lives of His people and of the Shepherd’s loving care for the most helpless and smallest in His flock!
Thanking God today that “He sets the solitary in families…” Amen and amen.
In a stunning development, we received a phone call just about a year ago with the unbelievable good news that there would be another addition to their little family. Just this summer, in July, Baby Halli was born to Terry and Natalie, a miracle child that no one ever foresaw, but who was always known by Him. Sometimes, God says, “YES!!”