Before the Morning

Last night I met a dear friend for coffee for the second time in 2 weeks - and you mommas out there know that just DOESN'T happen without the stars aligning just so. We've been friends since middle school but haven't seen as much of each other as we use to - it's been so nice to reconnect with her. And this dear friend happens to take beautiful pictures. And she took some precious ones of my little boy and I a few weeks ago. She gave them to me tonight...and no surprise...I love them. I'd seen a few of these before - but to look at them all tonight in order was like a little story - full of sweetness and simplicity and real right-in-front-of-you love.

And in the spirit of SB Awareness month I wanted to share them with you - because to me - they express so genuinely the reality of this beautiful life we live - with Spina Bifida.

It doesn't control us.

It doesn't define us.

It doesn't stop us from having the most beautiful miracle babies...

with the most glorious smiles...

and the sweetest sugar...

It doesn't keep us from taking them to the park...

exploring God's creation...

(grass is not one of Jet's favorite creations...)

It doesn't keep us from singing "A Song of Sixpence"

(watch out for that black bird...)

and laughing every chance we get.

And though it threatened, SB did not deny us the great blessing of walking hand in hand...

and basking in the warmth of the sunlight....

...and each other.

Because all of that fear that threatens to suffocate you when you first learn of SB, or when days of hardship weigh on you and bring ominous clouds of doubt, all that darkness...cannot hide the light...

the beautiful light that is always around the corner...

glowing brighter...growing stronger...

ready to break through the darkness.

And let me tell you - it's an amazing feeling.

And it's a beautiful life.

There is a song - and every time I hear it I feel like it was written for me. (It's playing now -you can rewind and listen to it on Jet's play-list at the top right of the page). It is an amazing testiment to what I felt like when we first heard of SB - and what so many of us feel at different times in our lives. It expresses so perfectly what I would say to an expectant mother, father, family - who is scared and so lost at the thought that something has gone wrong with their unborn baby. Because fear for your child - it's one of the deepest hurts you can have.

So every time I listen to it's lyrics I am reminded (and yes I usually cry...surprise right?) of how some of the hardest moments in our lives...are just the dark before the morning.

Do you wonder why you have to,

feel the things that hurt you,

if there's a God who loves you,

where is He now?

Maybe, there are things you can't see

and all those things are happening

to bring a better ending

some day, some how, you'll see, you'll see

Would dare you, would you dare to believe,

that you still have a reason to sing,

'cause the pain that you've been feeling,

can't compare to the joy that's coming

so hold on, you got to wait for the light

press on and just fight the good fight

'cause the pain you've been feeling,

it's just the dark before the morning

My friend, you know how this all ends

and you know where you're going,

you just don't know how you get there

so say a prayer

and hold on

cause there's good for those who love God,

But life is not a snapshot,

it might take a little time, but you'll see the bigger picture

Would dare you, would you dare to believe,

that you still have a reason to sing,

'cause the pain you've been feeling,

can't compare to the joy that's coming

So hold on, you got to wait for the light

press on and just fight the good fight

'cause the pain you've been feeling,

it's just the dark before the morning

Once you feel the weight of glory,

all your pain will fade to memory

once you feel the weight of glory,

all your pain will fade to memory

Would dare you, would you dare to believe,

that you still have a reason to sing,

'cause the pain you've been feeling,

can't compare to the joy that's coming

So come on, you got to wait for the light

press on and just fight the good fight

'cause the pain you've been feeling,

it's just the hurt before the healing

the pain you've been feeling,

is just the dark...

before the morning

Christian lyrics - BEFORE THE MORNING - JOSH WILSON