Today is my birthday and it is hard to imagine wanting anything now that my daughter is home from her month long stay in the NICU. During our time there, I saw God do some amazing things and I know that He has a plan and a purpose for everything we had to endure. Through the pain and suffering we lived with every day, seeds were being planted in our family’s life and in the lives of those around us. God made His goodness and mercy known to us each new day.
Now that we are home, all I can think about are all the prayers that have been answered. A new day has dawned and it is one filled with life and new beginnings. This chapter has been one of the hardest we have had to endure, but it is one in which we grew closer to each other and closer to God. When I was weak, I would pray for strength and God would carry me when I could walk no more. When I was scared, I would pray for courage and God’s power would rise up in me. The more I hurt, the more I would seek the Lord. When I didn’t know what to do, I would pray and even when I did know what to do, I would pray.
When we begin to look past our own circumstances and trust in God, we get a glimpse of the bigger picture and of the Master’s plan. As we set out on this journey, we had no idea what God was going to accomplish in and through us; all we did know was that His way was the only way. Over the last month, there were many scriptures that ministered to me, but one of the most comforting verses was Matthew 11:28: “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” There were so many times that my heart broke for my little girl, but I knew that I had to be strong for her and for those around me. Without Jesus to carry my burden, I would have been lost and crushed by the pain I felt. Looking back, I know that God was the only way we were able to stay strong. Now that we are home and somehow even more sleep deprived, I still look to God because no matter our circumstance, He promises to refresh the weary and satisfy the faint. To Him be the glory now and forever!
Life Giving Words of Hope & Encouragement by Jeff Davis 
Beautiful testimony! Great to have you all home. I’m glad you had a nice birthday. LOL
So glad to hear that you and your precious family have made your journey home.. It seems like such a long road to have traveled already and you have only just begun being proud parents. Your sleepless nights are still going to come no matter how old your princess gets. Last night with if our girls, 9 & 5, were awake at 3AM.ready to start their candles burning at both ends for another day.
I think my best word of advice right now for with if you is to write down her story from the day she was born….
she must be told how special her journey into the start of life was. By doing this it will help you remember how God held her when you couldn’t and let her know how special God knew she was to walk beside her when she called to him.