Thought of you today.Opened the book and your photo fell out,And there you were–eating pizza in sunshine–On my lap, the place your head once restedWhen you were still mine.Before the split, when you were taken one wayWhile I continued to walk another,That path I’d planned for Us,Now void of you.Not what we choseBut, rather, that which was chosen for us.We tried to make the best of things,I suppose.And, as with all Life’s thoroughfares,There were bumps and ruts and obstacles to overcome.But never think for a moment, Girl,That I didn’t keep watch–The vigilant witness of an imperfect pray-er,Who, upon whispering or wailing your name,Saw your face, heard your voice, and remembered.Remember still, my Ebenezer–That place built, not by my feeble hands,But by grace, and was offered me.An altar–That I might lay you down…Then walk away.Observe from a distance,Always,Even if only in the mind’s eye of petition.That safest of harborsOur heavenly FatherCreated from the hard rock of anger.A place where Abba could handle my flailing fists,Make something good from brokenBy holding me, His baby,And assuring, “Daddy understands the loss of a Child,”Until I no longer questioned.The stones of my anger He took bit by bitAnd, mercy His mortar, built that placeHewn from my lament,Where I could lay you down.And I think–Have thought often–Of Abraham who, too, facedAn altar.What of those moments between the laying down of IsaacAnd that father’s lingering knife?When the words must have hung, too, on fleshly lips that quivered,”Why?” and “How?”But, by faith, all this abba uttered was a silent resolve,”Yes, Lord.”And the miracle.It took me so long to say the same,I won’t even lie.Instead, I shook my fists ’til I fell asleepAnd awoke to the bad dream too manyMornings to count…Until the bad dream was a sad dream…Was a bittersweet dream…That’s now, a miracle sweet dreamIn a haven,In an ash-heap–Where I dance joyAnd go out peace…With a picture of you on my lapAnd the memories of pizza in sunshineThat lead to a prayerOf thankfulnessAnd finally,Finally…Full surrender 

Amen.

*** Kristie Miller was a part of our lives from 2006-Aug. 2007. Although her adoption was never finalized, she was my Girl. The pain that we experienced when she left was purposeful, in that it taught me more about God’s presence in loss, gave me a deeper empathy for others, and grew my faith. God is good all the time …What things have you had to surrender–lay upon the altar and trust God’s plan, even in pain?