TWJ 11 - Hold Loosely, Hold Tightly

Our little Janie Bear is growing up so quickly! She is now sleeping through the night, cooing like Ducky the dinosaur from The Land Before Time, and her crazy hair is almost lying flat. Almost. She is also screaming at new decibels... so, there's that...

Jane really is such a gift to us-- a reality that has struck me deeply these past few weeks.

My sister recently told me about a good friend of hers who's due date was the same week as mine.

Her baby girl was born two weeks early. My baby girl came two weeks late.

Her baby girl had an incurable genetic disorder. My baby girl was completely healthy. 

Her baby girl died in her arms at just 10 weeks. My 10-week old baby girl fussed and spit up down my shirt, but she's here. And could there be a sweeter sound to that mama's ears than to hear her baby fuss again?

My sister said that when the father of that family prayed over his dying baby girl, he was not bitter or angry, but thankful. Thankful for 10 precious weeks with his daughter. Thankful for every smile, every snuggle, every nap on his chest.

After hearing about this, Danny and I were moved to tears. What if this was our baby girl and not theirs? Later that night, Danny prayed that God would help us to "hold loosely, but hold tightly." That phrase has repeated over and over again in my head.

Hold loosely. None of us is guaranteed tomorrow. Each day is an undeserved gift. The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord. Hold your baby, your spouse, your family, your loved ones, your life loosely.

But at the same time, hold tightly. None of us is guaranteed tomorrow. Each day is an undeserved gift. Savor every smile, every snuggle, every nap on your chest. Hold your baby, your spouse, your family, your loved ones tightly.

Today-- this 11th Tuesday with Jane-- is an undeserved gift, and I am so, so thankful.