{redemption} His story of grace and mercy

This is her birthday.  The day she was born.

Six years ago, God displayed himself in love as He ordained the day for Emma Kate.

Her first day.

Entry, and the first breath.  A head wet with birth and fresh from within.

And I think not only of Emma, but of her.  Emma's first mother.

We see His goodness in Emma's birth-family.  In a culture that sits under a government where forced abortions are normative and often compulsory (thus, the adverb forced), they made a way for Emma Kate to live.  In a place where babies that have physical differences are left to die, Emma Kate was lovingly placed somewhere she could live.

A bi-lateral cleft lip and palate can be a death sentence in other countries.  Especially impoverished ones.  With no means to nurse, Emma's mother would have needed special bottles and formula for her sweet baby.  And surgery.  Those don't exist for people without the means to secure them.  Means economic or social.  No money.  No government systems.  No help.

Emma Kate also is missing fingers and toes on her hands and feet, and has a calf that, well, looks different from mine and yours.  Those physical differences in China...they aren't just differences.  They are marks.  Marks against her.  Forever.  It is so different from here.  At least for now it is.  She would be considered cursed.

Emma's parents kept her for almost a week.  I imagine it was a week that left them reeling.  I know she was loved.  I will tell her that for the rest of my days.  Not only was she loved and cared for by her Heavenly Father, she was loved by her birth parents.

They could have made drastically different choices.  And each option would have ended in Emma's end.

Instead, they took their daughter to a place where she had a chance: a chance to survive, and maybe a chance for another family who could care for her needs to find her.

That fact cuts me to the quick.

Those realities break my heart.

And I'm so humbled and grateful that God chose us to be that other family.  That we have been called to carry-on and carry out the hopes of her first parents.  Forever we are part of the same story.

We share a daughter with people in China we will never know this side of eternity.


God's provision for Emma included all that.  He knew we were coming, even when we didn't.  He knew that out of brokenness, his mercy and love would shine.  His graciousness for her in choosing a first family that would keep her and give her up are His story.  His love story for His lovely daughter, Emma Katherine YuXiao.  She wasn't a mistake.  She was never unloved.  She was never forgotten.  She was never lost.

Some tell a story like hers in what wasn't.  What didn't happen.  What was lost.  They fix fast on lack.

We see it so differently.

One day I hope to stand reunited before the One who dries every tear.  I long to gaze into the eyes of the woman who gave our daughter her life, and share together the goodness of knowing it all face to face with Him.  The whole story from the Master's perspective: written from heaven for eternity.  His heart to ours.

There is another mother to my daughter, and today I lifted her to our Lord, yearning for her heart to know she'd done well, that her daughter is safe and thriving.  That her daughter is beloved of us, too.  Her mother sweat and tears and longing were not for naught.  I pray the Lord comforts her heart this day, and that in the comforting she feels his pleasure for her bravery.  I pray she knows Him who loved us all first.


We frame Emma's story not as one of loss and regret.  It is a tale woven by love, written in redemption, guarded by heaven and walked out with God's goodness, mercy and provision.

Our little gazelle is precious in the sight of many; none more than His.  We sing this good day a song of praise to our God.

The Maker of heaven and earth counted it joy to fashion and assemble His beloved treasure, Emma Katherine YuXiao.  A little one made in love and glory.  From before the very foundations of the world were laid was she in his mind.  Grafted in, just like us.  Adopted, just like us.  Called a daughter, just like me.  Now my daughter as well.

His first.  Theirs next.  Ours now and always.

This day, we celebrate the miracle of Emma.

From dawn's break to dusk's fall.

Thank you, our Jesus, for our Emma.

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