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-upWoman to Woman Ministries,  Growing in Grace Link-up, 3DLessonsLif4eLivefree Thursday,Everyday JesusSDG GatheringInspire Me Monday Titus 2 TuesdayA Wise Women Builds Her HomeA Look at the Book,  Sunday StillnessThe Weekend BrewSpiritual Sundays, Soul Survival,  Give Me GraceA Little R&RTestimony TuesdayWomen with Intention WednesdaysStill SaturdayGood Morning MondaysTell His StoryBlessings Counter Link-up Party,Faith & Fellowship Blog HopMotivate and Rejuvenate MondaysBe SaltyMonday's MusingsThe Art of Home-Making MondayTuesday TalkWaiting on Wednesday,Dance with Jesus,Looking Up Link-UpReflect His Love & GloryFriend Sharpens Friend Link-UpWords of Comfort Link-upWholehearted Wednesdays

Comments

  1. Thank you for sharing this precious story, Karen. What a wonderful way to share the news with the family!

    I understand your feelings completely. When I became a mother for the first time, I understood much more clearly the love the Father has for us.

    The lyrics you shared are my most favorite lyrics of all time. If we could only begin to understand how much the Father loves us.

    May He continue to fill your (grandma) cup to overflowing! Blessings to you and yours.

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    1. Heather, Thank you so much for your kind words. :-)

      I had never heard of that hymn before writing this blog post. The lyrics to the entire hymn are so rich.

      I'm so glad you stopped by! :-)

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  2. Oh, what a wonderful post! I enjoyed it so much. What a blessing that must be to have your dear daughter and her family staying with you for a season! I think of our own sweet boy and just dread to think of the day he leaves home! I love him so much, and he is such a dear blessing to us. We just have to enjoy and cherish every moment and thank God for allowing us to be mothers. My husband and I waited so long for our son, and God truly performed a major miracle when He sent him to us. He is such a gracious, loving God, Who cares so much about the details of our lives. I was SO grateful for your precious words of encouragement today on my blog. You are such a dear blessing to me...both here...and there. :) God bless you and your family, Karen!

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    1. Cheryl, Thank you so much for your kind words and sharing in our joy. :-)

      Thank you for sharing your testimony of how the Lord brought your son to you. He indeed is a gracious and loving God.

      I am blessed by your friendship.

      Blessings to you too my friend.

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  3. I just fell in love with Lexi too! Thank you for introducing her to us, Karen, at Tayrina's gathering.

    Susan

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    1. Susan, Awe, what a sweet thing to say!

      The Lord has truly blessed us with our sweet precious grandbaby. Praising Him for His tender mercies.

      Thank you for visiting!

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  4. Beautiful words and story. Thanks for sharing it in Words of Comfort LinkUp! Be Blessed!!

    Hugs,
    Tayrina from
    www.atinymixof.com

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    1. Thank you Tayrina! Looking forward to being a part of your link-up community. :-)

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  5. Karen, beautiful words and hymn...George Beverly Shea sang this at many Billy Graham crusades...many blessings to you ❤️

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    1. Beth, Oh! I did not know that! It was while writing this post that the Lord led me to that hymn for the very first time. The words are so rich and truly paint a gloriously wonderful picture of God's love for His children.

      Thanks for stopping by! :-)

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  6. There is nothing as beautiful, wonderful, inspiring, and God-proving than the birth of a baby! Such a sweet story to share your great big love for your granddaughter! Make sure that one is printed and tucked away in a safe spot so she can read all about Grandma's love someday!
    Blessings and smiles,
    Lori

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    1. Lori, Indeed!

      I often think about how all of our blogs are leaving a legacy for our children, grandchildren and so on... Bringing God great Glory.

      Thank you for your sweet words of encouragement. :-)

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  7. Thanks for sharing this good word with us, Grandma. It encouraged my spirit today. -- May God continue to bless your family. :)

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    1. Lyli, Praising God for His encouragement to you through His blessing to our family. :-)

      Thank you so much Lyli! :-)

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  8. Beautiful! Oh, love this. Gave me a big smile, so precious! Blessings to you and yours (especially that sweet little girl!)

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    1. Bethany, Thank you for your sweet words!

      I have been blessed by our visit! :-)

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  9. Thank you Karen - a beautiful reminder of how much God loves us! Our grandchildren are very precious, I am so glad that you get to be close by and have lots of cuddle time!

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    1. Thank you for your sweet and kind words. I am truly blessed to be part of my precious grandbaby's life in such a close and personal way.

      So thankful to the Lord for such a wonderful blessing!

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  10. Karen, what a sweet, precious picture you paint with your grand baby! I rejoice for you... And makes me even more grateful for my own tiny human (while she is still tiny :-) THANKS!

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    1. Sharita, Awe. Thank you so much!

      Enjoy your tiny human! :-)

      Thank you for stopping by!

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  11. What a beautiful story! I am looking forward to the day that I can be a grandmother and your story of how you were blessed to be part of the story as it unfolded really touched me. I am so glad you shared this at The Weekend Brew.

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    1. Mary, Thank you so much!

      Anticipating the day with you that you can be blessed by the joys of grandmotherhood. Oh what joys will be yours! :-)

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  12. Thank you Karen for sharing this wonderful story at Good Morning Mondays. Being a grandmother is just the best feeling and I so relate to all the emotions you all felt. Our daughter and soon -in-law are expecting baby no 3 in 6 weeks and it is aw exciting as when the first one arrived and now I get to baby sit 2 little girls,and our Heavenly Father's love is so much stronger, awesome. Blessings

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    1. Terri, Oh! How exciting for you all! And how blessed that you too can babysit your grandchildren!

      You are so right! I often think about the Father's love as related to how much I love my own children and that His love for us is infinitely more.

      Amazing love!

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  13. What a beautiful story and reminder that God loves us--he has a deep, abiding love for each and everyone of us. This fact always reminds me that I should treat others with the same love that God treats me.

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    1. Thank you!

      Indeed, God certainly does instruct us that whatever we do for others, we do for Him.

      So glad you visited! :-)

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  14. It seems our hearts will break with the amount of love we have for our grandchildren, and to think that God loves us this much--and more!

    I also enjoyed reading your previous post on the analogy of a sunflower!

    your neighbor at #Give Me Grace

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    1. Constance, Yes! I couldn't put that into words, but you did for me! It is almost as if when I look at Lexi, my heart hurts, but hurts with profound love if that makes sense. And God's love is so much more profound for us!

      Thank you for your kind words about both of my posts.

      Blessed by your visit here. :-)

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  15. What a precious story. Congratulations on your sweet little grandbaby!
    Thank you for linking up with Grace & Truth!
    God bless!

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