Speaking of Lit....

We received a very special gift in the mail today from a fellow adoptive family, and it melted my heart. There is something about a children's picture book that sucks me in. And no, it's not the pictures. (Although I would LOVE to illustrate children's books someday.) I distinctly remember in my education classes I had a professor that, each and every class meeting, would read-aloud yet another storybook. This was by far my favorite time of learning...not just for the simplicity. There is something so fresh, innocent, and beautiful about kids' books. The beauty and morals portrayed bring hope to my heart every time I read one. Especially the classics!

But this book? This one is especially beautiful. This one was written from the perspective of someone with a heart like my own. Here...I'll share. Pull up a chair, and grab your favorite snack, and if your heart is not made of stone, a couple tissues as well.  It's storytime, people.

"GOD FOUND US YOU" Written by Lisa Tawn Bergren  ~  Art by Laura J. Bryant

 "Little Fox cuddled up to Mama Fox one night and said sleepily, "Mama, tell me again about the day I came home.  "Oh, yes." Mama said with a smile. "That is my favorite story of all. When God found us you, it made me the happiest mother in the world."

"Just by me comin' home?" Little Fox asked with a yawn. "Especially by coming home." Mama said.

"For so long I dreamed of you," she said, snuggling closer. " 'Bout me?"  "About you. I dreamed of how you would look, smell, even what you would sound like. And every day I thought of how wonderful it would be to hold you in my arms."

"I started seeing you everywhere, in the leaves of the giant oak and in the bark of the pine. Even in the stars! Oh, how I longed for the day that you would arrive, when God would find us you." "And then I came?"  "Oh, no. No matter how much I prayed it would happen, I still had to wait."   "You waited and waited?"   "And WAITED. But I knew that someday you would arrive, when God would find us you."

"It made it hard to see other mamas with their children," she said, like she was telling me a secret. "YOU were lonely for ME?"  "Very. I could not wait until the day you'd come, the day when God would find us you."

"I'd go up to the cliffs and watch for you. I stood there day...after day...after day."  "Did you ever want to give up?" Little Fox asked. "Sometimes," Mama said, rubbing Little Fox's cheek with hers. "But I trusted that God knew you, and knew me, and knew when we'd fit perfectly together."

Little Fox paused. "How come I couldn't stay with the mother who had me?"  "She must have had very big reasons to give you up. She must have thought it was best for you."  "Did she have fur like mine? Eyes like mine?"  "Most likely." Mama smiled softly. "She must have been as beautiful as you are handsome. I think she prayed like crazy that you would be safe, Little Fox. I think she prayed for me as much as I prayed for her." Mama's voice got all whispery. "And God answered both our prayers."  "I came then?? To you?"  Mama nodded, happy tears in her eyes. "You came then. When God found us you, you made me the happiest mama in the world."

Little Fox smiled and then thought for a moment. "Mama, will YOU be my forever mama?"

"Always and forever. No matter what." she promised. "This is where you belong. Here, with me, my sweet child. You are mine. The best gift in the whole wide world. I will always love you and treasure you and celebrate the day you came, the day that God found us you." .........