My Ways Are Not Your Ways

I remember exactly what I was doing 24 years ago, this time today.  I was walking around the block with my husband trying to deal with the increasing torment of birth contractions!  Jessica Lynn White was born at 3:00 p.m. later in the day.  Having had only one child, that event probably ranks among the most significant points in my life.  So it’s no surprise that today’s elephant is one that reminds me more than any other of that important time. 

I have many elephants – but this may be the only one that canalways bring tears to my eyes.  Its special softness and worn spots, the lullaby that comes from within it, all this takes me back to the wonderful time of Jessica’s babyhood.

I believe that God teaches us through all life’s events – but certainly through our children. And those lessons go on as we continue to age, and our children mature and become adults.

Trust in Him above.  This is the biggest lesson I'm learning as my daughter, recently graduated from college considers her path(s) in life.  I must learn to trust not in myself or in my own power to be of "help" --  which is questionable anyway, as she and I are very different people.  But to know that God loves her more than I ever could.  God loves all our children more than we, as parents, ever could.  Only He knows the lessons that must be learned and, more often than not, relearned for each of us.

As I listen to the lullaby tinkling from the elephant's tummy, I am comforted...just as this elephant brought comfort to our daughter as an infant.  It's a soft and fuzzy reminder that God takes care of His children through the cold and hardest times.  His way is not ours, and as I ponder that, I think of Isaiah 55.  (I encourage anyone reading this blog, to read the entire chapter of this portion of Isaiah.  It's a beautiful reminder that God is behind all things good.)

"'For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways,' declares the Lord. 

As the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts.

As the rain and the snow

come down from heaven,

and do not return to it

without watering the earth

and making it bud and flourish,

so that it yields seed for the

sower and bread for the eater,

so is my word that goes out

from my mouth:

It will not return to me empty,

but will accomplish what I desire

and achieve the purpose for

which I sent it."

Isaiah 55: 8-11

Happy Birthday Jessica!  I love you, your dad loves you more (family joke) and God loves you most!