When Mary called, I did not know what to expect. We had been “on market” for a couple of months, open and greatly anticipating our next little blessing. Birthmothers were viewing our family book, seeing the adorable snap shots of our two oldest children (ages 5 and 2), and we wondered who would fall in love with the idea of a larger family.
Just hearing her voice on the other end of the line made my breath stop and my heart skipped a beat; we had been matched! As Mary scrolled through the necessary information I tried to stay focused and present…despite being overwhelmed with excitement. A birthmother had chosen us; she was seven months along, expecting a boy. The birthmother was white, birthfather was black and she had already chosen his birth-given name…Elijah.
At this proclamation, I felt all the blood rush out of my face. A lump caught in my throat and I could barely get the next words out, “That was the name we chose.” Silence stood between us as we both tried to grasp the weight of this situation. For the birth mom, this was assurance. For us, it was a miracle; evidence of His hand, that He was purposeful in building our family.
My joy is relived each day as I hold him close in snuggles or observe him playing from afar. Elijah was created and lovingly nourished, born by the grace of God, and is evidence of His great mercy. Our hearts are filled to overflowing as he runs through the yard, proud of his name’s meaning, shouting at the top of his lungs, “God is great!” We couldn’t agree more.