After our daughter, Hannah, was born with a rare leg condition in both of her legs, we really had no idea what to expect for her future. We didn't know what surgeries she may need, how she'd learn to walk or ride a bike, how she'd adapt to wearing a prosthetic leg, whether or not her "good" leg would need to be amputated...There were so many questions and uncertainties.
(Hannah at birth)
From the time she was a tiny baby (she weighed just under 5 lbs. when we brought her home from the hospital) I rocked and cuddled with her as often as I could. I wanted to protect her as much as I could from what may lie ahead. As I cuddled with her, my heart ached, worries and fears filled my mind, yet a song began to fill my heart...and when it was just Hannah and me alone, this is the song I would sing:
Jesus, Lover of My Soul (It's All About You) by Paul Oakley
It's all about You, Jesus
And all this is for You
For Your glory and Your fame (Italics mine)
It's not about me
As if You should do things my way
You alone are God and I surrender to Your ways
Jesus, Lover of my soul
All consuming fire is Your gaze
Jesus, I want You to know
I will follow You all my days
For no one else in history is like You
And history itself belongs to You
Alpha and Omega, You have loved me
And I will spend eternity with You
(2-3 Months Old)
I sang this song over and over and over as I held sweet little Hannah in my arms until she closed her eyes to sleep. I prayed these words over her wanting God to draw this precious girl to Himself to bring Him glory. I prayed my heart would truly surrender to His ways, because I did not understand His ways in forming Hannah as He did in my womb. At times, I know I sang this song hoping what I felt in my heart would align with what I knew in my head was to be True about my Savior...that no one else in history is like Him...that this life belongs to Him...that He is the Alpha and Omega....
In a sense, singing this song over my sweet one was challenging and encouraging to me all at the same time. Today, I still sing this song to Hannah at times. She knows it's the song I sang to her as a baby. I'm amazed, humbled, blessed, and overwhelmed to see how God has brought us (and continues to bring us) through this journey. In some respects, this will be a lifelong journey, but I can't imagine life any other way. Our prayer is that God will use our family (with all our faults) and our little girl with only one foot and four toes to bring Him all the glory and FAME He so richly deserves. Thank you for taking this amazing journey with us.
(Joshua, 3 yrs., Hannah 4-5 mo. old)
(April 2011 at the Children's Museum's FUN Publix exhibit....have I mentioned how much I enjoy Publix? :)
3 comments:
Tara - you and your family are such an inspiration to me. I am beyond thankful that God brought you into my life. Love to you all, Kristina
SO true, so profound...so encouraging!!! All I can say is AMEN sister!!! Walking by FAITH not by sight WITH you guys....much love!!!
Tara thanks for the reminder of why you named this blog what you did. If i might add it is very appropriately named. You have been such an inspiration to so many people throughout your journey. You have always kept Christ at the center of all you guys do. I have said from day 1 that God could not have chosen a better set of parents for Hannah. I know it has not always been easy for you but she is truly blessed to have you both as parents and i have been so proud of Joshua throughout the years He is an incredible big brother. Give them both my love. I thank God for you guys constantly. Love to you all. Thanks for sharing your family through this blogspot.
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