He is not here!

I think that was my title last year on Easter, referring, of course, to the risen Savior. [And if you think Easter is about a bunny, have I got a story* for you!] But this year, Easter Sunday falls on what would have been Isaiah's 12th birthday, and he is not here either.

Mike and I don't usually play "what if" because we know that everything happens for a reason. After Zak's medical problems and Isaiah's death, we weren't sure we would ever want to try to have another baby, but we did, and I believe that Aly's brother chose her for us. Aly was the perfect baby ... no medical issues at all and such a snuggle bug. We were truly blessed by her addition to our family.

When I think of Isaiah, I do wonder whether he and Zak would have been best friends. I wonder if he would have looked even more like Mike than Zak does. I wonder if he would have liked reading or history like Mike or science and math like me. But I also wonder if we would have ever had Aly, or any other children at all. Then I remember that God has a plan for us, and He will lead us down the path that helps us to grow into what He needs us to be.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

I believe that our family is complete just as it is.
I think we're still working on mature.



*The true reason for celebrating Easter:
"Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'" Luke 24:5b-7