When Peter was slowly dying, two years ago, he kept saying to me "Will Elijah be O.K.?" And I kept saying "Yes." Because, in spite of my grief, in spite of my angry "Why, God? Why?" I trusted God would take care of one of His little ones.
Awhile after Pete's death, Eli, his two younger adopted brothers (twins Say and Jay) and his Mom Merritt moved to Beacon, New York, where God's miracles of new growth began in earnest. Merritt found Eli a school which he loves as much or more than his school back in the Buffalo area. He started guitar lessons, which he loves. He loves the big old house his Mom bought, and the surrounding yard - he's always loved solitary rambles outside. The grieving boy who back in Buffalo used to stare at our T.V. while he ate his peanut butter and jelly sandwiches without a word finally has began to smile a lot of the time.
So here is a photo of God's newest way of healing this little boy - a new puppy. Cuddling this wriggly little life, Eli told his Mom that the "gap" left in his heart since his Dad died is finally being filled (almost).
In the last book of the Bible, the book of Revelation, or the Apocalypse, Christ, the One Who sits on the throne, says "Behold, I make all things new." (Rev. 21:5) That last book, those words, bring us into the present, the Now, where He still sits on the Throne, still acts slowly and tenderly to bring newness, freshness, healing to us, in spite of - sometimes because of - the greatest hurts and tragedies in our lives. The only thing that can stand in the way of His working for us IS us - if we remain bitter and angry and turn away. Open your heart. Invite God in. Let Him produce unexpected miracles of newness in your life.