“Don’t worry – I got this!” ~ Isaiah 41:1
Liz had it all figured out by high
school graduation. She knew what she
wanted to study in college, where she wanted to live, what she wanted to name
her 5 kids, and had a good idea about who would be standing by her through all
of it. However, life happens in between
all those pot holes along life’s highway.
After attaining a Master's Degree in nursing,
her career rocketed skyward. But when a
long-term relationship ended, her prospects at motherhood dimmed. As much as she loved playing aunt to a dozen
nieces and nephews, Liz needed more.
She sought counsel from a fertility specialist. Her optimism took a detour with lab results
that disqualified her for IVF. Doubt
shot through her heart like an arrow without resistance; killing any hope of
becoming a mom.
Or so she thought.
Later that same day, Liz (now Director of Nursing) was doing
Pediatric rounds when she stopped dead her tracks by a beautiful baby girl. Her little face glowed from a light within. Somehow it felt like she knew Liz needed
comfort in the midst of her pain.
“Her name is Gisele,” said the nurse
in charge. The adorable child cooed as
only a baby could, unblemished yet by the hurts of life. Yet hers had been anything but a fairy tale so
far.
Born 11 weeks prematurely, Gisele suffered withdrawals from opioid
exposure during the pregnancy. After her
birth parents abandoned her, she became a ward of the state and spent the last
5 months at the Liz’s hospital without a single visitor. Her hospital stay was finally nearing an end,
but with nowhere to go, she’d be placed in foster care.
Those plans changed the day she met Liz Smith.
The two bonded immediately.
Liz visited this sweet baby frequently through all her complications and
setbacks. She couldn’t get baby Gisele
out of her mind. With guidance and
support from family, friends and co-workers, Liz made the difficult decision to
foster the infant. “I’m going to be her Mommy … for now.” And when Gisele’s birth parents didn’t appeal
their rights being terminated and no biological relatives offered to adopt her,
Liz again stepped up.
Fate brought them together; God’s grace will keep them so.
The Smiths all gathered at the courthouse to finalize the
adoption. It wasn’t until the judge read
her name aloud as “Gisele Katherine Smith” that Liz felt her dream of motherhood
come true.
Woody Allen once said, “If you want to make God laugh, tell
Him your plans.” God continually puts
just the right person in our lives, presents us with challenges that stretch our
capabilities, or provides timely reassurance to brighten our paths. We’re never alone; He’s got it under control.
My Lord, help me to know Your voice and not be
deceived by any other. Help guard my
heart from the influences of this world and those around me. Help me to view all thoughts and decisions
through Your lens. Amen
