Halfway to forever by Karen Kingsbury

How should I pray for him, God? He made it here safe this time, but if
his mother lives...
Hannah knew only too well the risks the baby would face if
his mother took drugs and drove with him again.
Be still, and know that I am God....
The verse filled her heart, and she realized she'd been holding
her breath. She breathed out and kissed the baby's velvety cheek.
Be still, and know that I am God.
It was the Scripture Jade had given Tanner for their first
anniversary. Hannah had been with her when they picked it out.
"When life gets tough," Jade had said, "that verse is a hiding
place."
It was always true at the CPRR law firm, and it was true now.
Hannah brought the baby's face against hers again and prayed for
his mother. She prayed the girl would live and find help in recovering
from her drug problems. And she prayed the girl would
never again drive intoxicated.
Then she placed her hand on the baby's head, his finger still
gripping hers. Sweet baby, if only I could protect you from everything
happening down the hall. Hannah took a slow breath, her heart
breaking for the child in her arms. "Jesus, I bring You this little
one, this nameless boy who You created, and I ask You to bless
him. Make his home a safe one and let his mother love him all the
days of her life. Let him know the touch of a father's hand and the
peace of Your salvation. And bless him to be the young man You
would have him be. Keep your Spirit on him, Lord..." Hannah
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hesitated. "Even now, when his future seems so uncertain. In Jesus' name, amen."
It was the same type of blessing she had prayed over Jenny and Alicia when they were born.
The baby's eyes had grown heavy, and his milk was almost gone. When he stopped sucking, Hannah set
the bottle on the floor. Then in a way that felt as familiar as it had eighteen years ago with her own
children, she held the baby up against her shoulder and patted his back, cooing at him the whole time. "It's
okay, sweetie, Jesus loves you. It's okay."
When she was sure he had no air bubbles in his tummy, Hannah cradled him again. The chair she sat in
was rigid and hard, but she rocked him gently, singing songs she'd sung to her own babies.
Including Grace's favorite.
"Jesus loves you! This I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong; they are weak but He
is strong." Hannah nuzzled her face against his, her voice soft and low. "Yes, Jesus loves you... Yes, Jesus
loves you... Yes, Jesus loves you.... the Bible tells me so."
He fell asleep in her arms, but still she sang, studying him, mesmerized by his beauty. After nearly an hour
there was a knock at the door. She answered as quietly as she could so the baby wouldn't wake. "Come
in."
It was one of the doctors who'd been working on the baby's mother. He stepped inside and closed the door
behind him. Then he studied the baby with heavy eyes. As he did, he breathed out, discouragement written
across his face. "There was nothing we could do."
Fresh tears stung Hannah's eyes and her heart filled with a sudden, overwhelming sense of protection for
the infant. "She's dead?"