27 Days

There is a purpose to everything, even those things for which we cannot see an explanation.  Sometimes as humans we wander aimlessly through life, not realizing that our lives have a purpose, a plan, a reason.  Our life is but a small span of time when viewed from eternity, but in that short time, God has some tasks for us to complete.  What if God only gave you twenty-seven days to finish your jobs here on earth?  Could you get them done?

Baby Briana did.  One wonders, what could a little baby possibly accomplish in twenty-seven days on earth?

Baby Briana touched her family as she brought her parents closer to God as they sought his comfort in facing her medical trials. She brought her parents closer to each other as they united in their love and care for her.  She brought her mother closer to the Bible as she searched the Scriptures in her time of need. She taught her sister unselfishness as her sister spent her own money to buy teddy bears and gifts. Twenty–seven days to a lifetime of love and joy from her family. 

Baby Briana brought joy to a young nurse who would rush through her duties, just to get some extra time to hold her. She brought smiles to dozens of faces with her beautiful countenance.  Doctors, nurses, visitors… you couldn’t help but smile when you saw her tiny hands and face.  She brought tears to the cheeks of young men who needed to weep and smiles to the faces of many who needed a grin.  She added wisdom to a pastor who helped her parents as they made difficult decisions.  Twenty-seven days to a lifetime of joy, tears and wisdom for all who encountered her. 

Baby Briana turned many sets of eyes to the Scriptures as they sought the solace of the Psalms.  She bent many a knee to the ground as prayers ascended from concerned and heavy hearts.  She pierced many a soul that sought answers to the unanswerable but found God in the seeking.  She turned many a heart to love as we realized how much we needed each other and our God.  Twenty-seven days to a lifetime of bringing mortals closer to their Creator and each other. 

Only the omniscience of God Himself can comprehend the impact of a little girl who never came home from the hospital.  The interconnected web of the concerned is difficult to comprehend much less unravel but there are doubtless hundreds who have been touched by the life of a little one whose twenty-seven days seem far too short from where we sit. 

On January 5th, Baby Briana came to be with us after her mother carried her and prepared her for many months.  Twenty-seven days later she passed from the arms of her daddy into the arms of her Father.  Along with her daddy we had to say “Good bye” but in Heaven her Father surely said “Well done!” 

What will you do in the next twenty-seven days of YOUR lifetime?