The Cry of A Newborn Baby

The "newborns" at church yesterday

“Jesus  answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”  John 3:3

Yesterday was one of those perfect days you’d want to relive over and over again!  First of all we were able to take our newborn to church for the first time and what a blessing that was.  It was a wonderful service!  During the service, as we sang the second or third song I couldn’t keep the tears from flowing:

How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives.
But greater still the calm assurance,
This child can face uncertain days because He lives.
 

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.

As I’d sat earlier in the week and wrote down the current and world events in her baby book, I admit it was a little depressing –to think not only the shape of our world right now but what it may be like in years to come if it continues on the same path.  However, as it said in the song because he lives there is hope!  By the end of the service, we were able to witness first hand some of that hope as a first grader we’d been praying for for some time made her way to the altar and accepted Christ as her Savior!

I thought about when “Sunshine” was born how the doctor took her and I was waiting to hear that first cry to let me know she was alright.  How sweet it was when this newborn came from the altar and we heard her say “I was saved.”   Nothing like hearing a newborn cry and knowing everything is alright! 

Then my older daughter asked what was going on as everyone was rejoicing.  I told her she had been saved.  She asked “Why?”  I said so now she can go to Heaven.  Her response was “She’s going right now?” J  I’m thankful for what she is witnessing and for our church that’s going to be raising her.  Yes, there is still hope!

A Heritage from God

"Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord:  and the fruit of the womb is his reward."

Psalm 127:3

Our precious baby girl was born a week ago today.  She truly is a gift sent straight from God to be in our lives.  I've thought about the above scripture a million times over the past week.  

Her•i•tage-(noun) property that can be inherited or passed down; a gift.

When you think about a heritage it is something usually of great value and meant to be passed down from generation to generation.  God knew her before we even thought about her (Jeremiah 1:5).  When I think about the fact that He looked down and saw fit to pass her down to us even for a season I feel so humbled.  However, He has also given us a responsibility and that is to teach her His word and His way so that it can be passed from generation to generation.  His plan from the beginning of time wasn't for us to build up a nice college fund for her or even to provide her with a huge house but to keep His Word on our hearts and teach it to her diligently.  (Deuteronomy 6:6-9)

I think today's  "society" has underrated the role of motherhood today.  It's seen as a "second job" or something you do on the side.  However, to me it is the most important job I'll ever have and because of that it is a priority in my life.  The impact I have on my children is one of if not the only thing that will last an eternity.  What I teach and show them  will be carried on through them and through their children and so on.  What an impact Moms really make!

So while I look into those newborn eyes I know I'll make mistakes, but I'm thankful for the plan God has laid forth.  I'm thankful for his grace, mercy and forgiveness that will be there as I need it.  I'm thankful He chose me to be their Mom.  I'm thankful for those moments when "Miss Priss" is whining,"Sunshine" is crying, the dog is barking, phone is ringing, and someone is knocking at the door (yes, we've already had those) and He whispers sweet peace to me amidst all the chaos!  He lets me know that my "job" is the most important one I'll ever have and that since this is His plan He'll equip me with whatever I need!

So I just want to give a word of encouragement to all of you Moms out there!  You're doing a great work, day by day.  You're shaping a soul that will have an eternal impact!  You have been blessed with a heritage and that heritage will be passed from generation to generation.  God has placed this precious child in your hands to mold and shape.  I want to leave you with two of my favorite quotes from a book study I'm doing right now The Mission of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson: 

No matter what you do in other areas of your life, when you have a child it is a calling of God. A calling to use your intelligence and skills and your mind and your heart and your time in such a way you have the privilege of shaping children whose souls will last an eternity.

I have come to believe that being a mother encompasses all that is best within me.  To embrace the mission of motherhood requires that I understand God and his design for life and can relate deep theological issues to the everyday minutes of my life. It requires that I become a mature counselor, ready at any moment to make decisions judiciously.  It also requires that I develop skills in hospitality, nursing, intellectual prowess, diplomacy, leadership training, and more, and that I stretch my creativity to the max.

For more on this book study check out Mom Heart.

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My Simple Life Just Became a Little More Complicated... but in a Good Way :)

         
 Just when you think you may have it all figured out God has a way of reminding you He’s still in control! 

     I had just laid out all my priorities and created my new schedule to incorporate them all when I started becoming so tired I could barely move.  The kind of tired that would come only from taking a whole bottle of Nyquil . . .or being pregnant!    That’s right God has blessed us again and “Miss Priss” is going to be a big sister!   We are so excited about becoming a family of four!

      We’ve known for a couple weeks now but had our first doctor’s visit on Friday and told all of our family and friends over the weekend.  I’m due on April 22^nd and so far everything looks great!  I’m just a lot more tired and nauseated than I was with “Miss Priss” but I guess that has something to do with having her and not being able to slow down as much! 

          When I started this blog, I knew I wanted to be honest not just write about how I wished my life was but how it actually is.  So I must be honest and say I basically took last week off and rested!   Labor Day turned into Lazy Week for me!  While we did not officially have a family night or Tot school we did get to visit with several people and share our good news. 

I also slowed down a bit and enjoyed some simple moments this week:

1.        I decorated our house for fall and started cooking some chili.  The house smelt like fall and I could hear “Miss Priss” with her giggle box on playing with her Daddy.  I had to stop cooking for a minute and just listen to them laugh.

2.       I opened up the computer to check my e-mail and “Miss Priss” said “No 'puter Mommy-sing Jesus Loves Me.”  So I closed the computer and went to the piano and we sat down and sang for about 30 minutes.

3.       Being able to visit with family and friends and see the excitement on their face as we shared our good news!

4.       A Sunday afternoon walk with the family.

          So while I hope we can get back to our “schedule” this week, even if we don’t I’m thankful God's blessings are plentiful and not scheduled!  I also thank Him for all those he's give us thus far and the promise of those in our future too!   Hope you don’t miss the simple blessings you receive this week. I’d love to hear about them!

“It’s the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.” ~Laura Ingalls Wilder