Who Gives This Woman?

"Children are gift of the Lord," the Bible tells us.  And in that giving, parents receive the blessed responsibility to raise their little ones in the "nurture and admonition of the Lord."  On July 16, 2011, we gave our eldest daughter in marriage.  What makes that giving so special?

Fifteen years ago....God gave us his assurance.  The following is from my journal.....





May 18, 1997


"Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God."  Matthew 5:8

Our Anna comes to mind today.  She has been through her own crisis these past weeks - and she doesn't seem to even know it! Anna suffered a ruptured appendix.  We thought it was the flu.  It started with a sick stomach after church.  Monday brought on-going vomiting and we left her to rest as much as possible - yet, late that night she complained of a terrible stomach ache.  I suggested she was sore from so much vomiting.  Just not understanding her dilemma.


Come morning, she still didn't feel good at all.  Still a terrible stomach ache.  Not much of a fever.  As she rested on my bed, I encouraged her to try liquids because dehydration was a concern.  I agreed with Ron that I would call the Dr. if she didn't improve. When I did call, all the symptoms I described sounded like the flu.....'Bring her in tomorrow if she's not better,' it was suggested.  Or, they could see her that day if I thought best.  I checked in on Anna.  She's hot, she says.  Her skin was cold and clammy to the touch and her eyes sunken.  I said we ought to see the Dr. - Anna knew she needed help with the pain.


Anna was so weak.  We managed to get her dressed and to the car.  She's so calm and brave the whole time.  I'm praying. The drive takes nearly a half hour.  It was during this time I came face to face with the reality of losing Anna.  I knew, whatever the illness, it was serious now.  I prayed.  I knew to search my heart.  Was I truly allowing God to have my daughter?  The realization that Anna is His, not mine and what peace to know, that Anna, herself, loved Him.  My worries were for Him [to have]. I was peaceful knowing what was to be, I had to give Anna to my Lord.  It was scary, too.


Once at the Dr.'s, things began to happen quickly.  Her pulse was so faint it couldn't be read.  After a difficult time of poking and prodding, she was to be admitted to the hospital.  Dr. Knopf was sure it was the appendix and that it had ruptured.  Anna was severely dehydrated.  One more day....Anna may not have made it through. Once we got to her hospital room and on the IV's [which took some doing - as they couldn't easily find a site], it was an hour and we began to see pink return to her lips.  Our doctors prayed with her and we were so blessed by the comfort of the staff. After surgery she looked herself. Anna remained in the hospital 7 days.  


Now, 3 weeks later, she's making a slow come back.  She's still quite thin, but is eating more.  Her spirits are good.


"Blessed are the pure in heart."  Anna is so pure in her love for our Lord and others.  God allowed this crisis for her benefit (and mine!).  We'll see His plan unfold as she grows closer to Him. "What could have been" sometimes still creeps upon me....


"...and He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; many will see and fear, and will trust in the Lord."  Psalm 40:3