Loving Lexington Grace

Last summer, the Lord surprised me in the most unexpected way!  I didn't even see it coming!  It was then that I found out I was going to become a grandmother!  My daughter and son-in-law hadn't planned to become pregnant at this time, but the Lord, He had plans!   

I admit it was very surreal in the beginning.  You see, the at-home pregnancy tests were all coming up negative.  Even after a doctor's examination, my daughter was told she probably wasn't pregnant, but the doctor sent her for a blood test just to be sure.  It was then that the blood test revealed my daughter was already six weeks pregnant!

My daughter and son-in-law planned a fun way to announce the pregnancy.  My parents, brother and his family were visiting to celebrate my dad's birthday.   My son-in-law found a huge box and put helium balloons inside with the ultrasound picture attached to the balloon string.  He weighted the balloons down inside the box with a rock and wrapped the outside of the box in wrapping paper.  We were all on pins and needles, so excited to share the news, but waiting for the right moment!

My son-in-law is famous for his "crazy" wrapping jobs which he takes great delight in.  So it was not without precedent for him to present a gift to my dad in such a huge box.  When my dad opened the box and the balloons popped out, it took my parents a moment to understand what was going on.   My brother and son exclaimed, "Wait, is that what I think it is?!?!"  I was able to catch all the wonderfully heartfelt reactions on video.

It was such a special time for us all.  I could already see this precious baby was so incredibly loved before one of her days came to be...

As the months went by, I watched my daughter and son-in-law fall more and more in love with their unborn child, imagining what she would look like, wondering about the type of personality she would have, and anticipating the day they would finally meet her...

Lexington Grace was born on March 18th.   Meeting Lexi for the first time was incredible,  yet it was like I had always known her and loved her... Such a powerful love for this perfect, precious baby granddaughter.

I am blessed to have my daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter live with me and my husband for a season.  I am cherishing this time with every fiber of my being.  As such, I am blessed to be a part of little Lexi's life in a close and intimate way.

It's hard to describe the way I feel when holding Lexi; as I wrap my arms around that petite four month old little frame, I just want to envelope her even closer than humanly possible.  My precious grandbaby, little tummy pressed up against me, cute little head looking all around, sweet fingers wrapping around mine - a desire to love and protect with everything I have.

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The scenes described above bring to mind my favorite portion of Scripture, Psalm 139...

God's love for His children is intimate.  For He formed our inward parts; and knitted us together in our mother's womb.  We are fearfully and wonderfully made...  Our frames were not hidden from Him  when we were being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.  Your eyes saw our unformed substance.  In your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for us, when as yet there were none of them.  Psalm 139:13-16

He desires profound closeness to His children.  Where shall I go from your Spirit, where shall I flee from your presence.  Psalm 139:7

There is no place we can go where the love of God won't pursue us.  If I ascend into Heaven, you are there!  If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!  If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.  If I say, surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night, even the darkness is not dark to you, the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light to you.  Psalm 139:7-12

God's love protects. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand  upon me...  Psalm 139:5

The Lord is lovingly involved in every part of our lives.  You have searched me and known me!  You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.  You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all of my ways.  Even before a word is on my tongue, behold O' Lord you know it altogether.  Psalm 139 :1-4

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As I pondered loving Lexington Grace and the words of Psalm 139, I saw with more clarity and felt with more profoundness the presence of my Heavenly Father, holding me so very close, enveloping me with His protection and Love...

Could we with ink the ocean fill,

And were the skies of parchment made;

Were every stalk on earth a quill,

And every man a scribe by trade;

To write the love of God above

Would drain the ocean dry;

Nor could the scroll contain the whole,

Though stretched from sky to sky.

{The Love of God is Greater Far - Frederick Martin Lehman}

You might find me on these link-ups:
Grace & Truth Link-up, Woman to Woman Ministries,  Growing in Grace Link-up, 3DLessonsLif4e, Livefree Thursday,Everyday Jesus, SDG Gathering, Inspire Me Monday Titus 2 Tuesday, A Wise Women Builds Her Home, A Look at the Book,  Sunday Stillness, The Weekend Brew, Spiritual Sundays, Soul Survival,  Give Me Grace, A Little R&R, Testimony Tuesday, Women with Intention Wednesdays, Still Saturday, Good Morning Mondays, Tell His Story, Blessings Counter Link-up Party,Faith & Fellowship Blog Hop, Motivate and Rejuvenate Mondays, Be Salty, Monday's Musings, The Art of Home-Making Monday, Tuesday Talk, Waiting on Wednesday,Dance with Jesus,Looking Up Link-Up, Reflect His Love & Glory, Friend Sharpens Friend Link-Up, Words of Comfort Link-up, Wholehearted Wednesdays