Wednesday, December 14, 2011

From God's Arms, To My Arms, To Yours

He's sleeping at the mission home right now.

Tomorrow, he packs his bags and bids a final farewell to the beautiful people of Brazil—his home for the last two years. Then clothed in one threadbare suit, and leaving behind all the rest, he will climb aboard the plane in the early morning hours that will bring him back across an ocean and a continent and into my waiting arms.

It's been done before, of course. And I'm not speaking of other sons, of other mothers, of other missions—I'm speaking of my own. It's been done before, this coming and going, sending and receiving, giving and taking. Yes, he was mine before he was theirs. And though I am his earthly mother, he was His before he was mine.

I remember a song from a few years past. Beautiful lyrics, relating the story of a young woman who had given up her child for adoption, explaining to the new parents how she had come to this place.

And though the verses are meant for this life...an earthly adoption...I can't help thinking that those pleas sound very familiar. That I was, truly, the interim parent. Having been entrusted to receive these spirits that were given to me by a loving Father in Heaven, and then expected, and even required, to relinquish them to the waiting arms of his next home. Brazil.

And I did.

If only for a little while.

From God's arms...to my arms...to yours.

And now, on bended knee and weeping with gratitude, back into my arms again.



If only for a little while.




13 comments:

Juli said...

Beautiful Lisa. You nailed it.

Now pick yourself up and go get your boy!

Just a bed of roses said...

You either choke me up or crack me up...

What a gift

Lilian said...

Beautifully written. I'm SO happy for you to have this experience of a returning missionary. I've got five sons. Two of which have returned from theirs and it was FANTASTIC to see them and HUG HUG HUG THEM! This post brought me to tears because it won't be until spring of 2013 when I get to experience that once again when my third son returns from Cambodia.

I feel your anticipation.

This will be the HUG OF YOUR LIFE!!!! Enjoy!!

(if you haven't seen this... you must! http://youtu.be/NQcSGVmXKNQ )

Vern said...

SO excited for you!

Welcome to the Garden of Egan said...

That is so exciting!
I love the song.
I bet you are so stinkin' excited. I hope there is a lot of photos taken.
I wanna see your mascara smeared girlfriend!

Kristina P. said...

He's going to be the best missionary ever!

Neen said...

Thanks Lisa, made me sob! You should send this into the church magazines. Beautiful. I can't wait to see him again. Just thinking about what he's doing know makes me so nervous!

Neen said...

Woops, I meant "what he's doing NOW"

Jennifer Griffith said...

Perfect. I have these moments to look forward to, the terrible joy. I love that song so much. Thanks for reminding me, teaching me. Best love to you, my dearest.

Kara Elmore said...

Remember when I called you twenty minutes ago and told you I couldn't read this because I need to be alone so I can cry?? While reading this I thought about all the things I could write to you so it could take away the cry I've been doing ... :) But all I can write is words to tell you what a blessed woman you are Lisa. We joke, as sisters, that we are perfect! :) But Lisa, my wonderful sister, you are a gift. You have talent beyond anything I can imagine. You are wise, and well spoken, and generous, and virtuous, and loving, and praise worthy! You are all of these things and MORE. And for these reasons, this boy (turned into a man) went on a mission. Because his parents taught him so. And you continue to teach - even though it's not politically correct to stand by God. You do. And your children do. And there are so few that understand that THAT is what it takes in this life to make it! I thank you for always standing!

.E. said...

you are truly wonderful.. thats all I am going to say .. enjoy your sons return much love to you all

Mimi Sue said...

Hope you are enjoying every minute of this wonderful experience. Lovely words. Just exactly how we feel. Mimi

Juli said...

Still Love this post. I hope your boy is home by now and you gave him lots of hugs and some over the top embarassing smooches. :)

I can't find your email so I'll tell you here... I got him a ticket to the Nascar race in Charlotte NC, and am booking the whole family on a weekend get away to go with him. A few years back I bought him literally a brick. :) It was in the Nascar hall of fame and so the basis of the gift is that we will go to see it installed in the building.

But he'll tell you that the best part of the gift is the weekend away from it all with us. :)