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Tuesday, August 19, 2008

When will I finally learn this fact--it's *not* about me

A reprint of what I posted on my favorite forum:

Psalm 30:11-12

You turned my wailing into dancing;

you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.

O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.



The Lord has given me a beautiful glimpse into His plan, and I am so thankful.

After 3 hours of sobbing, I packed the kids in the car for the long drive to the DSHS where I was to hand Siddalee over to her aunt. Jo, Atticus and I were trying to lift our spirits on the way there by listening to some of our favorite worship music, and it was definitely helping. We talked about how God's plan is not always easy to be obedient to, but how we MUST be obedient ... even when it hurts. Atticus reminded us that Abraham took Isaac to the mountain not knowing how it would turn out. And I'll be honest--in my mind, I thought: "What a nice little Sunday School story. I hope it brings him some comfort." (Where is the faith of a child when you need it most?!?)

My phone rang when we were about 30 minutes from the drop-off point. Siddalee's social worker said she would be late, because there was some court confusion that she had to clear up. O.k., fine. I stopped and got gas, killing some time. But I had to get there eventually. Nothing was going to stop that.

When we arrived, the sw was already there. With her were two women and a young man. Not having any idea who was who and still grumbling in my heart about the whole thing, I slowly got Siddalee out of her carseat and bundled up the few things I had gathered: her hospital bracelet, the half-full can of powdered formula, the little knit cap from the hospital's auxiliary, her immunization record. The few pieces of this little girl I had been able to collect in just a few short days.

The sw came to the truck, and in a conspiratorial tone whispered, "This is Siddalee's father. Her real dad. The one listed on the birth certificate was wrong. He got a court order at 3 p.m. today and drove down here to get her."

Huh???

As it turns out, Siddalee's birth mom had listed her current boyfriend--a convicted drug dealer--as the father. He had contested this all along, but the birth mom declined to name anyone else. So, at the hospital, they had taken samples from Siddalee in preparation for the inevitable paternity testing. Meanwhile, news had traveled through the grapevine that X had had a baby and Y said he wasn't the father. A man birth mom had dated briefly did a little backward calculation and figured he might be looking at fatherhood. So he called his lawyer to get the ball rolling.

How they worked through the DNA this fast, I'll never know. DSHS is notorious for taking months on these things. But today, at about ten a.m.--as one judge was granting custody to an aunt with a (ahem) checkered past--Siddalee's father got the news that he was, indeed, a new daddy.

So, instead of handing the beautiful Miss Siddalee over to her mother's sister, I got to place her in the arms of a trembling, awe-struck man who admitted that he'd never held a baby before. Who cried and actually thanked me for keeping her while he had time to hear about her and get things straight. Who laughed and commented on her chunky cheeks and asked a zillion questions about her. And those two women with him? His mother and her sister--both of whom listened intently and cooed over the baby and thanked me for loving their little one. The crowning moment, when I knew for certain that Siddalee was in the best possible hands, was when I explained that Siddalee seemed to have some pretty serious reflux issues.

"You hear that?" the aunt said, poking her nephew's shoulder. "You get that baby to the doctor first thing in the morning! That's not good for her to be uncomfortable like that!"

JEHOVAH-JIREH--the Lord provides

He sent a ram for us. He turned our wailing into dancing. Siddalee was only ours for a season, while the plan was being worked into perfection. GOD IS GOOD. ALL THE TIME.

15 comments:

Mandi @ Life Your Way said...

I have goosebumps all over, MG. What an amazing story – that you and your family have that comfort of knowing she will be loved and cared for as you carry her in your hearts, that a young man is willing to step up and be a daddy with no warning (and so beautifully fall in love with his daughter at first sight), and that "the system" got it right this time!

Praying for you all as you miss her and for her family as they get to know her!

Anonymous said...

just...wow.

Mom Of E's said...

Happy tears and goosebumps! Thank you for sharing this happy ending.

Pam Barnhill said...

I am in tears over here. Such a beautiful story for that baby girl.

Missus Wookie said...

Awesome - in the real meaning of the word.

May the new family rejoice & grow together in love - and your hearts be helped to heal knowing she is loved.

Liz said...

AMEN>>>praise the Lord. he had her in his hands all along- and you were his servant.

Sarah said...

How wonderful! What a beautiful answer to prayer.

Unknown said...

I was reading via Bloglines and came over to say that I got goosebumps at the end. Looks like I wasn't the only one.

Still enjoy your blog.

Luke Holzmann said...

I'm another goosebumpled person here! When I prayed yesterday that the "right thing be done" I never imagined this. I guess that's one more reason why He is God and I am not [smile].

Oh me of little faith, may this be a constant reminder of how faithful He is.

Thanks so much for the update!

~Luke

Sarah at SmallWorld said...

What a beautiful outcome. Goosebumps all over!

Kindred Blessings said...

That's wonderful...I'm crying with joy.

anya* said...

Wow. I have been out of town and just now got online to hear your amazing story. My eyes were full of tears as I read this post. What a beautiful ending for that sweet baby girl. God bless you M.G.

EllaJac said...

What a beautiful story, but I am most amazed at how you and your family can walk this path so often, yet still have faith. I'm sure your heart breaks regularly. You are an inspiration to me!

JustTheFactsMa'am said...

Praise God! I'm so happy for this man and his baby, and from my past experiences, it's hard to be optimistic and supportive of reunification services anymore. Beautifully written post.

Hi, by the way...new to your blog as of this morning, and I will definitely be back! Nice to "meet" you!

Deborah said...

I decided to start at the beginning of your archived fostering posts....I'm so glad I did. What an awesome story! God is so good!
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