Tuesday, March 20, 2012

A mother's prayer for Susie's birthday


Today, March 20th, is Susie's birthday.  This post was written by Susie's mom, Kathy.  

Thirty-three years ago I was pregnant and overdue with my first baby.  I was so excited, but also anxious of how my life was about to change forever.  I had two consistent prayers during my first pregnancy.  My first prayer was, “Please Lord, let this baby be a girl.”  Now before my boys get upset, let me explain!  I was scared to have a boy because I thought they were all a little wild and crazy, so I would always add, “Lord if it is a boy, please let him be sweet.”  I am happy to say that God did bless us with three very sweet boys!  But on March 20, 1979 God first blessed us with a beautiful baby girl.
My second prayer during my pregnancy was , “and Lord, please make her a blessing to others.” As a young mother I didn’t even really know what all I meant by that, but I so fervently wanted my little girl to be a blessing to others as she grew up.  I soon began to realize if God was going to answer that prayer, I would have to give her up at times to let God use her in ways He intended.  I had prepared myself during her growing up days that someday,  that would most likely include marriage.  Sure enough, one day Ben came along and won her heart.  But what a blessing it was for us to give her to such a godly young man who we knew without a doubt loved our baby girl and would always take care of her.  Life was good, Susie and I though miles apart stayed close and grew even closer as she herself became a mother. The daily phones calls turned into multiple calls a day. I was so blessed that the prayer I had prayed, for my daughter to be a blessing to others, turns out she was the biggest blessing to me! Soon though, came the day that I always knew in my heart was going to come once Ben and Susie were serving God together as man and wife.  “Mom, I think God wants Ben and me to go to India.” A lot of fears, a lot of tears, but God in His faithfulness grew my faith and trust in Him as I released my daughter to Him.  I knew God had plans to use Susie as a blessing to people in India.  What a privilege to spend two weeks with her in India and witness first hand the blessing she was to the people around her.  She embraced her life in India and the people God put into her life.  Oh, but what a happy day it was though when she came home to the same time zone!  Back to talking whenever we wanted.  Life was good!  She and Ben settled back into their life in Ohio.  Their family grew from the three of them to the five of them.  What a blessing to be a part of their journey.
Shortly before Christmas Susie shared the wonderful news that there would be another baby Thomas! What greater way was there for God to answer my prayer that she be a blessing to others, than for her to be a blessing to four little ones!  In the meantime we were talking through the possibilities of her “episodes” as she waited for doctor appointments.  But nothing prepares a mother for a call from her daughter saying she has a lesion (tumor) on her brain and the doctor wants her to go straight to the hospital.  Your life is forever changed,  because you know your baby girl’s life is forever changed.  You know you will not be able to fix this for her and no matter how much you want to take this from her and bear it yourself, you can’t.  God has chosen her for this journey.  You can only pray and watch in amazement as she responds with much faith, grace, and hope, and continues to be a blessing to those around her.  In the quietness of your own heart you wrestle with God. This is not how you want her to be a blessing to others.  But even as you wrestle with God you know with all your heart that she is in His hands and just as you prayed 33 years ago for her to be a blessing to others, you are most thankful for the blessing she is to you.

6 comments:

  1. Happy birthday, Susie! Without a doubt you are a blessing to us...especially Brooke and karis! I can't wait for them to get to really know you and how amazing you are! And, afterall you're aunt Susie!! You make all their dreams come true!! Love you so much!! And great post, mom! So so beautiful.

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  2. Happy Birthday, Susie! (Beautiful words by your mom; what a blessing she is!)

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  3. Kathy, as a mother myself, I can place myself in your shoes on the inner journey of anguish, fear, doubt, surrender, trust and pride, as you embark on another stage of the "release" of Susie to the Father's will for her life. May your testimony and Susie's bring glory to God and may your new baby granddaughter(?!) bring joy and a fresh testimony of the saving grace of Jesus in your lives!

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  4. I am indeed a blessed man. Not only do I find myself as the father of such a beautiful daughter but I have also been favored to be the husband of such a godly and loving wife. As I read and re-read your ponderings I recall the ponderings of another mother as she considered the implications for her own child so long ago. From Luke 2:19: “But Mary treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Your ponderings seem to always lead me to the gospel and there is no better place for me to be. I love you, Kath! I love you, Sus!

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  5. When someone is as nice as you it’s find out more natural, you know, For friends to often think of you and want to tell you so That’s why this special greeting has come your way to say That many warm and cheerful thoughts are there with you today I wish for you to have a very happy birthday. Thinking of you and hoping your birthday is a really great day – the way it ought to be for someone as special as you.

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