Blessings On Board!: Baby Celebration!

Psalm 127

"Unless the LORD builds the house,

They labor in vain who build it;

Unless the LORD guards the city,

The watchman keeps awake in vain.

It is vain for you to rise up early,

To retire late,

To eat the bread of painful labors;

For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.

Behold, children are a gift of the LORD,

The fruit of the womb is a reward.

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,

So are the children of one's youth.

How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them;

They will not be ashamed

When they speak with their enemies in the gate."

This psalm is dear to our hearts. Again and again we have returned to the truth and promises here. As the Lord has worked in our lives and family, David and I have been challenged with the trust and faith we will place in the Lord regarding His sovereignty.

Over the years He has slowly directed us to open our hearts to each way He wants to lead and direct our path. Gently whispering, lovingly chiding, firmly convicting, and, yes, sometimes sternly warning us when we are hurrying in the wrong direction.

The Lord has pointed His hand of grace over our marriage, finances, library shelves, television and media preferences, education, and, yes, even our choices pertaining to fertility and babies. I'll be honest. Opening our hearts to His control regarding the number of children He chooses to give has been a journey of joy mixed with fear, yet, always covered with comfort and hope.

Knowing that each baby created is a promise of His provision and work in our lives has been a powerful magnet drawing us to a mighty and holy God.

Strangely, as the Lord graced us with the courage to trust Him in this great calling, we often have been made to feel we are foolish, crazy, and even unloving by the very people that are trusting the Lord for great things in their own lives. I'll be honest, again. That hurts.

It hurts enough that we've sometimes withdrawn and stay guarded until we know if someone is "safe" before we share our hearts and the truths the Lord has called us to walk in. Finding a church family that supports and cherishes the gift of children, any and all children, has been a great challenge for us.

The past three years we've been growing and learning with a church family that continues to bless us in special ways. This year, we were amazed and overjoyed to join them in the first of what is sure to be a favorite event. A Baby Celebration!

Imagine the joy in my heart as I heard and saw a group of dear friends celebrating the children in our midst and, especially, the FOUR baby girls born within the same month.

How I delight to be walking among those who will honor the Lord by welcoming each child with the joy the Lord intended for their precious lives. Whether granted to a young family just beginning, a blended family, a family of many, or a young, unwed mother, the chorus of praises and rejoicing rang out loud and strong:

"God, you have created these precious lives and because of that, you are great and greatly to be praised!!"