Our Little Answer to Prayer

Today is the 23rd anniversary of Billy Ray's adoptive placement. I wrote a post about it here . There is a "rest of the story" that I wanted to share with you here.

We were waiting for a newborn with Down's Syndrome through a doctor in Portland and had been number one of the list for a while. We were told that we would only have 24 hours to pick up a baby when we were matched to one. It had a definite impact on our lives during that horrible wait. We took a packed diaper bag when we visited my late husband's elderly parents and checked our voicemail constantly whenever we were away from home.

We were notified that a baby girl was expected momentarily and unfortunately, I had strep throat. I was on antibiotics and was on it long enough to not be cautious but I was frightened it would mess things up. I asked our then pastor, Fred Werbin, to pray about it. It was also a prophetic prayer I'll never forget. He prayed that when we got a baby it would be so clear that this was the child the intended for us.

That baby did not become available after all. Eventually we contacted an agency and were told about a 14 months old boy whose adoption was failing. The adoption came together in a totally unexpected way and speed. Billy Ray came to us at 15 months. The bonding was immediate.

When I was rocking Billy Ray at night I used to sing the little chorus "God is So Good" and modify it to add Billy Ray's adoption in several spots. For example, "God answers prayer he gave me Billy Ray". I also called him my little answer to prayer.

Over the years with the many struggles have experienced with my husband's long illness and death and later with Billy Ray's health issues, it has been such a comfort to know so clearly that Billy Ray was the answer to my prayers and that of our former pastor. It is quite clear that he is the child the Lord intended for us.

Until next time,
Peggy Lou Morgan
Blogs: Amazon Author Connect, Parenting a Complex Special Needs Adult and Parenting A Complex Special Needs Child
Websites: Parenting Your Complex Child, Lighthouse Parents and Peggy Lou Morgan (under construction)
Club Mom Articles
Parenting Your Complex Child Yahoo Group

I Needed That Today

Sometimes I will be reading the Bible and a scripture just jumps off the page (or usually the computer screen from my Ebible Software). Today is a case in point. Billy Ray is giving little hints that something is changing for him physically. I haven't figured it out yet. I was reading 1 Peter and came to 1 Peter 5:7:

"Give all your worries to him, because he cares about you." (New Century Version)

That seems so simple but it is NOT. As parents we want to fix everything for our children. We are doers. Turning everything over to the Lord is much harder than it seems.

I can imagine captains of the old ships dependent on the beams of light from the lighthouse to make big rocks and shipwrecks visible and thereby avoiding them. We have similar anxiety today when there are choices of treatment (some of which has multiple risks) and programs to consider for our children. Like the old captains we might wonder if we are missing something. How reassuring to know that the Lord sees it all and will guide us because he cares for us (and our children).

To give him all your worries today and "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him" (Psalm 37:7 New King James Version) for to give you the light (understanding) for your child.

Until next time,
Peggy Lou Morgan
Blogs: Amazon Author Connect, Parenting a Complex Special Needs Child and Parenting a Complex Special Needs Adult
Websites: Parenting Your Complex Child and Lighthouse Parents
Club Mom Articles
Parenting Your Complex Child Yahoo Group