“I will bless you.”

The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you…” {Genesis 12:1-2, emphasis mine}

“I will bless you.”

He will not burden you. He will not break you. He will bless you – the God of invincible reliability, the God who has infinite resources, the God who is insistent love.

– The Greatest Gift, Ann Voskamp

I first read these words during Advent of 2013. I clung to this promise like a lifeline as I longed and prayed for our daughter waiting for us in an orphanage across the globe. God’s blessings felt distant that Advent season. As I read through this same devotional this year, five Advents later, I can reflect on the beauty of that season of waiting. Advent, after all, is meant to draw us into a season of Hopeful anticipation. A season of waiting and slowing and lingering. We aren’t meant to sprint through the season, rushing toward the promised blessing. Instead, we are meant to pause. We are meant to quiet the noise of the world and dim the flashy distractions tempting us off-course. We are meant to draw near to the Giver of every good gift.

This Advent season looks so very different than the one as I waited and ached for our girl. My house is full, my cup literally overflows and my calendar is jam-packed. Yet, still. I wait.

I wait and I pray out of heartfelt gratitude. I reflect on the past ten years – the dips and turns and mountains in my path. My eyes blur with joyful tears. Laughter rests at the tip of my tongue, ready to burst forth at any moment. I sit in absolute awe at the feet of my Savior. For the gift of His coming. For the gift of the cross. For the abundant blessings He has bestowed upon my little family. For His insistent love.

For the years of persistent prayers…He heard every single one. For the countless tears…He collected every drop. He kept track of my sorrows and He turned each and every one into praise. Four miraculous little lives…proof of His invincible reliability. And, now…

Now, when I thought the chapter on building our family was finished. When, I thought we were moving on to new chapters and new stories. He surprises us with the most unexpected blessing. Yet again, He proves Himself faithful beyond human comprehension.

Never in a million years did I expect to welcome another pint-sized Marrs into the world. In my disbelief, I have refused to celebrate the joy of this miracle in fear of reality rebuking my bliss. I have guarded my heart in doubt. It seemed too good to be true. Too miraculous to be real.

Yet, reading these words, “He will not burden you. He will not break you. He will bless you,” pulled me back under His shield of Love, away from the arrows of fear. 

Friends, I am THRILLED to share that Baby BOY Marrs will be here this summer!

Is this not the CRAZIEST news?!? I still can’t quite believe it myself.

Much love and Happy Advent to you all!!!!