Because one day we will laugh...

Oh the dinner time battles we have! Yes, those are Francis strong arms as Jessie looks up at him, trying to smile at him until he gives in. But he does not. And the thunderclouds roll in. And then, once she's eater her required-one bite, Francis recedes, and she's sunshine again, and voluntarily eats another bite. This child is infuriatingly stubborn with a strong aversion to food, especially at dinner time. So our most recent attempt to get her to eat consists of making her eat one bite of everything on her plate, and then she can eat/or not eat (as is her more common choice). So we'll battle on for a little anyways, and see where this goes. In the meantime, she'll exist on peanut butter sandwiches, and carnation breakfast essentials :) And we hope she'll outgrow it.

16

Our old church lost a girl this week. A 16 year old girl. Suddenly, on her way home from the fair. 16 short years. My heart has been heavy for the family this week. Praying for her parents who are planning for a funeral, instead of planning which college she should go to. To her brother who is suddenly an only child for the first time in his life. Her classmates and friends who are suddenly finding things quieter. Her grandmother who normally brings her to dance and singing lessons. So many people who never got to say goodbye. So many dreams for the future that will never be here on this earth. My heart is grieved, and my mind mourned the unrealized dreams and potential.

And then I remembered that in some way, Gabby is already living her potential. She's living the dreams that all parents have for their children - that they believe in Jesus Christ, and one day they will spend eternity with their God. The first question of the Westminster Catechism is "What is the chief end of man? To glorify God and enjoy him forever." Gabby made profession of faith, and readily praised God in any way she could. So in some senses, she is continuing perfectly what she began here. And glorifying God forever, and she is perfectly and completely happy.

So while I pray for Gabby's family, and for my girls, I remember that we don't mourn as those who have no hope. And we don't plan as those who have no eternity. So as parents, we pray and we plan, and we wrestle and we rest.

God is still God, and God is still good. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

Helping unload groceries... gypsy Jessie