God is good.

I can’t believe another year has gone by. Seriously. What is happening?  This year has been full of ups and downs, but there is one thing I am fully confident saying…God is good. The more intimately I seek our Father, the more I learn that not only is He good, but His plan for my life is truly marvelous.

It’s been three years without Emma. Sometimes it feels like just yesterday that she was here.  Sometimes it feels like ten years have gone by without her. I still don’t understand why she died, but I don’t have to. What I do understand is that God knows that sometimes my heart is filled with sadness and sorrow with her loss. It’s in those times that He amazes me and fills my heart with joy. That joy has come in many different forms, but I’ll share the one that stands out.

Before I chose my wedding gown, it was important to me that my daddy have input. I narrowed it down to two gowns and let him have the final say. He, of course, couldn’t decide. So, we spent lots of time at Patsy’s that day. During the time that we were going back and forth between gowns, there was a trunk show going on for a jewelry and veil designer. We spoke with her, and she offered to custom make my veil and a brooch for me to wear with my gown. After giving us the total estimated bill to do all of these things, I told my parents, let’s just think about it, never expecting them to OK the order. We left the salon and went to lunch. During lunch, I was talking about other options for veils and jewelry and my dad interrupted me and said, “I want to do this for you. I want you have these things for your wedding day and pass down in our family.” I once again, like so many times in my life, was blown away by the generosity of my parents. Fast forward a few months… I got the call from Patsy’s that my veil and brooch had arrived. I think I broke every law to get there as fast as I could. These pieces were so special to me, and I wanted to see them. I looked at the veil first. It was perfect. Gorgeous, elegant and simple, just how I wanted it. As I opened the box to the brooch, the sales assistant was telling me that the jewelry designer names all of her pieces with women’s names. Low and behold, the name of the piece that was made for me was named Emma. (This was about 6 months after Emma died.) We HAD NO IDEA that she would name my piece Emma.  I immediately broke down into tears. I think the sales lady thought I was disappointed. I had to try to explain to her that Emma was my dog’s name, which I think made me look even crazier. God knew then and now that this simple thing would bring me so much joy. I wore my brooch on my wedding day and wear on special occasions feeling like she is with me.

 

My cup runneth over with the grace and love and humor and amazement that flows from our God. Even in the small things of our crazy lives, He is ever-present and I am forever grateful.

We miss you Emma Lou!