I’ve been in baby heaven the last couple of weeks. So many of my friends and family have given birth in the months of July and August. It’s been fun to see and hear all the excitement for these little ones. Picking out of names, finishing up nurseries, stocking up on diapers, filling the freezer with meals, even the creation of twitter accounts all in anticipation of a really exciting time of life. Is there anything more beautiful than a pregnant woman? Is there anything more sweet than a big strong daddy holding his tiny newborn? There’s been so much celebration, so much buzz about the future, so much pride about these additions to the family.
I absolutely adore babies. My husband always gets a little worried when I start ooing and awing over babies. But I assure you, that ship has sailed for us. However, I am a complete sucker for baby clothes and baby books. But not shoes or socks. I need to see those little baby toes. And I love to pray for little babies inside the womb and out. Is there anything more innocent, anything most recently touched by God than a newborn baby?
In contrast, the rest of my month has been filled with quite the opposite. I still am around women who are pregnant but the excitement is replaced with dread, the anticipation is replaced with worry, the pride is replaced with shame. My job is to try and convince them that this life inside them is not a glob of cells but an incredible creature that God has a plan for. Somehow I have to teach them that there are worse things in life than having an unplanned pregnancy and that their life and their baby’s life are just the beginning instead of ending.
In my office I have this fascinating picture of a 10 week old fetus’ feet. There are ten perfectly formed toes on two tiny precious feet. It reminds me of Psalm 139. The scripture reminds us that no matter what the world tells us on the outside of the womb, no matter what circumstances we are born into, God knew us before we knitted together inside our mother’s wombs. His perfect plan of innocent creation will unfold no matter what choices we make. It brings me to my knees to think about His powerful, magnificent, world crushing hands tenderly forming those ten tiny toes.
Today I pray for those who just found out they are pregnant, whether they have been waiting a long time, or are pleasantly surprised. I pray for those who have just become parents or are parents again of beautiful little babies. But I also pray for those who are alone, who are scared, who are confused, and who are pregnant. Don’t let Satan steal your hope. Live in anticipation of this little life.
What hopes and dreams do you have for your little ones? What do you think God has planned for those ten little perfect toes?
The Rabid Mime 