please keep the mailly family in your prayers.  though we don’t know this family personally, they attend bethlehem with us.  this past week, their baby son, mathias, was born and died 40 hours later.  the cord got wrapped around his neck 30 minutes before he was born in such a way that it cut off his oxygen supply.  he was born brain-dead and the family decided to let him go.  our pastor says the family is doing well, as well as can be expected in the deep grief they are in, but are doing well as those who have hope in the Lord.

there was a white rose on the piano at church to announce both mathias’ birth and going to be with Jesus.  there’s usually red roses to announce births and adoptions.

in praying for this family, i was led to realize anew how fleeting life is.  there are no guarantees as to how long we have to live.  in this realization, God taught me two things.  one is that life is so very precious, that it is indeed a gift from Him alone- no matter how long He gives us.  the second thing is recognizing how precious each day is that i get to spend with my children.  because i don’t know how long i have with them, it makes it all the more urgent that i make the most of the moments i have to teach them about the Lord and how true joy and fulfillment are found only in giving one’s life to Him and living according to His word.  God also made it so clear to me how the sin areas in my life are the very things that hinder my children from seeing Christ in me.  when i am impatient, angry, frustrated, i am only showing them my sinfulness.  i am only letting them know they’re upsetting me, instead of producing godliness in them.  but when He graciously allows me to show compassion, patience, kindness, and gentleness – i am pointing them towards God who loves them far more than i ever could.

i speak of children now because i do not know how long i get to be with either mikey or our new little one.  the time i have with the baby may be even less than the coming nine months.  but still, i have the amazing opportunity to witness the Lord creating an eternal soul and knitting this little person together.  i have the honor of praising Him for His goodness to us as well as the honor of praying for this little person even before he or she is born!

Lord, may this not be only head knowledge, but please enable me to really live this out in such a way that my children can see and know the truth of who You are and that You are worthy to be praised in all circumstances.  blessed be the name of the Lord.