When Chris stepped off the plane and saw the tiny bundle in his wife’s arms, it was love at first sight. Keesley was eleven days old.
“I remember it as if it were yesterday,” Chris said. “The first thing I did of course was give quick hugs and kisses to the adults, and then it was strictly baby time. I stole her away and held her as if I had held a hundred children before her.”
Completely oblivious to all the strangers in the airport smiling at the scene, Chris only had eyes for Keesley. “All I could focus on was that the little life I had in my arms was biologically mine, but I knew then and will always know that she is God’s child. I am just blessed to raise her for him.”
While Chris was home, Keesley was having trouble sleeping because she had tummy pains. After trying everything from gas drops to switching formula, nothing seemed to help except her daddy.
“I was in the recliner with her and I started to nod off and then I realized she was asleep,” he said. “So we found a solution to the fussy nights with gas build up. I would sleep with her on my chest in the recliner, which worked perfectly.”
When it was time for Chris to return to Iraq, he left a worn T-shirt of his with Leah to put in her crib. The scent of Keesley’s daddy seemed to help soothe her, even after he was gone.
Saying goodbye again after his R&R was one of the hardest things Chris and Leah have ever done.
“I know that God made my child for me,” said Chris, “and he also realized that I would have such a difficult time being away that he gave me ways to cut through those hard times.”
For Chris, those “ways” were emails, phone calls and pictures sent back and forth. What are the ways God has provided for you to get through your own difficult circumstances?
Lord, give me the strength I need to shoulder the burdens you’ve allowed me to have.
“Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.” (Psalm 63:7)