Looking thru the photo book

I was going thru a couple of my Samuel's photo books. Of course they are very small albums, but so glad that I have the pictures that I do. I came across these note cards that I have stuck in the albums between pictures. They are note cards with verses written on them that my mom had written and gave to me during my time in the hospital. And as I read them they are still a comfort to me because of two reasons: the comfort, strength, truth, and love of God , and the love poured out with searching the Word of God for the encouragement that I might need--an act of "I care about you".

My "Thank Heaven for Little Boys" album begins with the verse:
Psalm 139:14 "I will praise thee; For I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are thy works and that my soul knoweth right well." (Placed in front of his ultrasound pictures.) It truly is a miracle the gift of life and the intricate details that you can see in these pictures. Five little fingers perfectly formed, and five little toes that are 'wonderfully' made.

Mark 10:14-15 "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein." Pictures of Samuel in his nicu bed with wires, tubes, bandages, and so many things that make him look so frail and helpless. Children are so dependent upon their parents. They believe and put their trust in us so willingly. Maybe this is what God wants from us--make Him our heavenly father and put our trust in Him "as a little child".

Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 "In everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven. A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted." I am so thankful for the pictures I have of us holding him while we said goodbye. I can't thank God enough for letting me hold my baby before we let him go. There is just something about holding your child. Yes there is a season for everything. And yes there is a purpose for everything under heaven. And yes there will also be a season when we get to see him again.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
"Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift his fellow, but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him." What a wonderful thing to have your spouse and family beside you while you hold your "heavenly" child. Samuel was gone in spirit, but we were allowed to hold him afterwards. We must have been in there for hours holding him, and yet the time flew by because I didn't want it to be over. Leaving the hospital carrying his things and knowing that we weren't coming back was a strange empty feeling. The memory and feeling of holding his things in the waiting room while the car was being driven up is something I probably will never forget. I am so glad that I could go back home and be surrounded by my loved ones. God knows that we need each others love. Even if we don't know what to say--just being there is enough.