Hi yall…

So tomorrow, August 2nd, marks one year. One year from our first red flag ultrasound where we found out something MAY be wrong with our lil man’s physical health.

Straight to it today. God told the people of Israel that the promised land was theirs. 100% theirs.  Were there other people living there? Yes.  Did the cities have walls to the sky? Yes. But God told them this land is your land, this land is the place I have prepared for you, this land is yours not because it looks like yours… but because I call it yours.  And if the Lord of Heaven’s Armies calls it your land and tells you to take it…Just. Go. Take. It.

You gotta see God’s humor here… you’ve wandered in the desert. He’s promised you a land flowing with milk and honey.  You get there, and it’s inhabited by a people outnumbering you and they just so happen to be giants. As a dear friend says… Geez person! But where’s your confidence? In your size? In your army? In your ability? No no no… all wrong.  Confidence in the Lord God Almighty. Trust His voice. Trust His promise. Trust His words over you and not your own or anything visible. To Him be the glory of every giant-inhabited-we-cant-do-this-help-me-lets-go-back-to-Egypt-God-must-want-to-kill-us land turned into a real promised land flowing with milk and honey.

How about some meat and potato scriptures to drive this home?

“Do not fear, Zion; do not let your hands hang limp. The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves.” Zephaniah 3:16b-17a

“‘Be strong, all you people in the land,’ declares the Lord, ‘and work. For I am with you,’ declares the Lord Almighty. ‘This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.’ Haggai 2:4b-5

“Then I said to you, ‘Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them.  The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, and in the wilderness. There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.'” Deuteronomy 1:29-31

“Do not be afraid, for I am with you…” Isaiah 43:5

We need no other circumstance to not fear, to walk courageously, to do mighty things, to work, to be whole, to function, to thrive, to bear fruit in our promised land with Jesus. The simple trust and knowledge that He is here is ENOUGH. Let’s be children that tell Him… God, your Spirit among us is enough.

And as tomorrow dawns to the one year anniversary of this marvelous chapter with our sweet baby boy Wills, I say… Let’s do this.  Not because I’m awesome. Not because I’m healed. Not because I’m no longer grieving. Not because we have learned so much here.  Not because we have to.  I say let’s do this… because He is with me. Nothing more, nothing less.  Let’s do the one year anniversary of the diagnosis. Let’s do the one year birthday without a baby to celebrate. Let’s do the repainting of his room. Let’s do this wild, crushing, abundant thing called life. And let’s do it well, to the glory of a God who has promised He is HERE.

“Those who look to Him are radiant.” Psalm 34:5. That’s it. That’s all it takes to be radiant… not a perfect life story. Not healthy kids that are here. Not a comfy checking account. Simply looking to Him. Preachin’ to myself…

Also, a deep felt, sincerest thank you to every single person who has encouraged us, brought us food, been patient with us, blessed us with gift cards, written us notes, sent us thoughtful texts, listened to us, and more than anything…PRAYED FOR US.  Eternally humbled, grateful and thrilled to be part of God’s church on earth, His body doing His work for His glory. Y’all are legit. Words will never suffice.

Enthused, a bit weepy, and quietly content,

Lauren

PS – So emotional today… reliving these dates and all.  My tears may cover up my radiance 🙂 just nod and pat, nod and pat, if you get stuck with me in a weeping session. XOXO.

Also drowning in a sea of Wills macarons… almost have a whole other traveler completely paid for. Taking orders through September 1st 🙂 email me if you would like to support the trip… laurenmasa@icloud.com or meringuemacarons@gmail.com