Meeting Evangeline- told through the eyes of a friend.

 

Meeting Evangeline  

The nurse directed me to a seat where I was to wait in the silence of the corridor. A few moments later she returned, smiled & invited me to go in. Momentarily, I felt overcome with fear & my heart beat increased. Upon entry into the dimly lit room, I recognized that this was ‘holy’ ground. I was going to visit a newly born princess, Evangeline, who Jesus was waiting to take to heaven. Chosen in this window of time, for this opportunity, came with realization of the privilege I had. Her story, told in photos on the wall above the bed, spoke of her being prayed for, deeply desired, waited for, treasured….loved! 

 

Ryan, her father, turned his eyes towards me & I saw such love mixed with the deepest gentleness & compassion. He hugged me & I knew a father’s tender care. He signaled for me to come closer to the bed, where his wife Rachel lay. I approached, carefully hugged her & as our eyes met the joy on her face made my heart skip. This was a moment of abundant blessing, a moment to celebrate, a moment not to be missed. “Look, isn’t she beautiful?”. I looked down at little Miss pink, perfect, precious, Evangeline. She held her right pinky finger with all the class & finesse of a princess, holding her bone china teacup. Seconds later, she stretched her splendid long legs right over her head. We all smiled for she had definitely inherited her mother’s flexibility.  

 

Evangeline had defied the odds, she had flown in the face of all the medical descriptions, & proven she was the daughter of Ryan & Rachel, a child made in the image of God, of immeasurable worth, a little person of courage just like that of her mummy & daddy. Her life’s journey had brought people together from across the world, across cultures, beyond language differences & bonded them, pointed them to faith, hope & love that never ends.  

 

Ryan’s loving, protective eyes, moved seamlessly between Rachel & Evangeline. He adored them both & everything inside him was desperate to prevent anything hurting either of them. While he had been in love with Rachel for a couple of years, Evangeline had truly captured his heart & turned his world upside down. Her eyes opened to follow a familiar voice, & a tired yawn, reconfigured her tiny rose-bud lips. Exactly as it’s meant to be, a mother & father’s heart melted with desire to ensure their baby daughter received their tender care.   

 

I had to move back, turn away, because the love for this precious little family, this taonga/treasure of sharing these moments, was overwhelming. I wanted to press ‘pause’ & ask God afresh for the days, months, years on earth that Evangeline was meant to live. Her first birthday, her first steps, her first words, her infectious giggle, riding her father’s shoulders, starting school, watching her at Athletics, Cross Country, graduating from Secondary School, undertaking further study, her career, walking her down the aisle to marry the man of her dreams, her first child……the cycle that is part of life. Surely, Evangeline needed to stay.  

 

A flood of questions I couldn’t possibly answer reared their head, & I found myself struggling to even contemplate let alone accept Jesus would carry Evangeline to a different place. I argued my case with passion & begged him not to take her. Patiently, HE listened before reminding me for whom & where Evangeline & each of us are designed. HE understood the anguish, the agony of what losing Evangeline would mean, & that the path of grief is heartbreaking to walk. HE knew that with the same unwavering faith, unshakeable hope, & unswerving power of unconditional love, Ryan & Rachel would authentically live, expressing who, what, & why they believe, just as they had these past 34 weeks while waiting for Evangeline’s birth.  

 

An hour later, with the deepest gratitude in my heart & memories indelibly etched in my mind, I quietly exited & returned to my car. With a 2 & ½ hour drive back to the Coromandel there was time alone, time to reflect, to process, to cry. I had witnessed a miracle of astronomical proportions, a miracle which had God’s fingerprints all over it. How many, many lives had Ryan, Rachel & Evangeline touched with their family story. It undoubtedly was, eternally impacting.  

 

Evangeline pointed to a much bigger picture, the one we as humans cannot easily see. From the beginning of her life, she proclaimed a message glorified her Heavenly Father. Evangeline was the catalyst, the arrow from the archer’s bow to hit the heavenly target, where she was destined to meet her Creator. Jesus had already prepared that promised place. Now, HE keeps her safe in His loving care, in the playground of heaven, & one day, Ryan & Rachel will meet her again. What a sweet reconnection that will be!   

 

Me te aroha tonu 

With love always 

Hazel 

My special friend, and someone who inspires me- Hazel