The BIG Picture Can be Better


Psalm 9:11
Sing praises to the Lord, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings

Very recently, my husband, son, daughter and I attended a beautiful wedding, of whom I call, "son of my heart."  My husband and I had tried to adopt him 14 years earlier after loving him for 4 years.  (You can read the story of our love and life, here, in poetry form.)   For this post I wanted to discuss the glory that I found, when I allowed myself to receive it......... the BIG picture.

Being a wedding, it was WONDERFUL to see many people that I had cared about over the years.  Being female.....and  mother...... one of my main concerns was getting my PICTUREs.  I really wanted an intimate picture of the bride, groom, and my family of 4 with them.

Son of my heart looked so handsome.  He conducted himself like a mature, strong gracious man, ALL day long, never showing a sign of tension or stress despite the ceremony, photographs, photographs, more photographs..........over and over.............here and there........ I was a good mommy and I patiently waited my turn.

It was my turn.  It was his turn to call his family up for pictures.

I did not get called, just me, my husband, son and daughter to join the bride and groom.  We got invited up along with two other mothers, and another father......... I knew them all.

None of the others tried to adopt him.  None of the other mothers prepared an intentional "forever place" for him, and took classes and had a home-study done, and hoped and dreamed....... anticipating he would share their family name, be at all future holidays, vacations....events, highs and lows together like family forever.  But the other mother, and the other father........ were going to be in this picture for him, at his request.

"Lord, I know there is a praise here.  Help me to rejoice and accept it- the BIG picture!  Do I want this BIG picture of those other people, on my wall, my special wall?  No.............. but I want to want to......... Help me Lord."

He did help me.

I realized,
I loved those other mothers.  I loved that other father..........his first and very good foster father.  They had been there for son of my heart in ways that he needed, when he needed.  All of us had contributed to providing LOVE, and an example of functional caring adults, that in some way helped this young man that I so admired and loved, to become who he is today.

I WOULD graciously, and with gratitude frame this BIG picture that includes two other mothers and another father figure, and hang it on my special wall.  It will be a testament to the Lord's faithful provision, love and grace.  That is the truth.  I will hang it on my wall.

(When professional pictures come in, I will post the BIG picture for God's glory.)

Proverbs 3:3-6
Let not mercy and truth forsake you,
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart,
And so find favor and high esteem
In the sight of God and man.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.

To God be the glory for the great things he has done!  To read more about His splendid grace and provision, I hope you will enjoy this poem linked here, about the back story to this wedding, in poetry form.                 
                       Grandma Mary Martha 💖

Comments

  1. Yes, God uses different people in different ways in everyone's life. If one person did it all, they'd be God. But there's only one God and the rest of us who make ourselves available are just co-workers with Him. All glory to His holy name. Thanks for sharing this personal and inspiring story.

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    1. Thank you for visiting and commenting. Aunty Edith, I really like the way you put that exactly, "If one person did it all, they'd be God." Thank you for your encouragement and wisdom !!

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  2. What a lovely picture of what God had in store for you and him. I'm so glad you were able to see him married!

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  3. Looking forward to seeing the picture -- and I appreciate your candid representation of your emotional journey about it all.

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    1. Thank you for giving me the pleasure and honor of sharing. Life with Jesus is such a wonderful adventure!

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    1. Thank you Keisha, for visiting, and commenting encouragement!

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  5. Oh my! This is so beautiful for me to read! I'm a mental health therapist and I have worked with foster families and adopted families for eight years. The fact that your son of your heart had three moms that he WANTED in that family photo speaks volumes to the love each of you poured into him. God bless you for being willing to take God's children into your home when they have need!

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    1. Thank you for allowing me to share my joy !! This young man is treasured like one of my great blessings in this life......

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  6. Loved reading your journey of sweet memories. Very beautiful write up.Thanks for sharing this inspiring post.#sundaythoughts

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  7. Loved reading your journey of sweet memories. Very beautiful write up.Thanks for sharing this inspiring post.#sundaythoughts

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  8. Wow, this is beautiful. I can sense your heartache that you never got to adopt him, but that God brought you full circle at this wedding!

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    1. God brought amazing riches into our hearts even despite the disappointment. Thank you for letting me share.

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  9. I'm glad you were able to see the big picture. I haven't had to face this issue, but something like it is coming in the near future. My bonus daughter will be graduating Kindergarten this year. I'm sure we'll be requested to take a large family photo. Hopefully, I will be able to see the big picture in this moment and God's goodness as you have.

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    1. I do hope that you can see with God's wisdom, and embrace the LOVE that He brings from all directions. Certainly these situations can be tenuous.

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  10. This is such a wonderful testimony of the place you hold in the heart of your “Son in heart”. We will never truly know the impact we have on people’s lives, but here you’re gifted with a taste of it. You are receiving a glimpse of the impact you’ve had in his life and it’s beautiful. Bless you Tammy, this is an encouraging testimony xx

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    1. Thank you for visiting and letting me share. Cody is truly one of the treasures in my heart, even though I rarely see him these days.

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