This September, we will welcome yet another sweet baby into our family. I am so honored to be the mother of 7 children and am so excited that Jesus is entrusting another life to us. I love being a mother and know that God has called me to it. But, I'll admit it- I'm a little intimidated as well. Anyone who has children could stand up with me and admit that nothing in life will challenge you in the way that raising children does, and nothing else will show you what you lack in character and wisdom in the same way. The hope as a parent is, ultimately, that your child will grow up and became the kind of person who will make good decisions in life which will lead to their own happiness and the happiness of others. I realize that I don't have the answer to all the problems my children will have- and the more kids one has the more problems there are to not have the answers to. Being very aware of my own insufficiencies, I admitted to Kenny a couple days ago that I'm a little scared at the challenges that another baby will bring into our home. Later that same day as I sat down to read the Bible, I found out that Jesus was listening in on that conversation! As I was reading, He spoke Isaiah 44.1-5 to me. Here it is:
“But now listen, Jacob, my servant,
Israel, whom I have chosen.
This is what the LORD says—
he who made you, who formed you in the womb,
and who will help you:
Do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant,
Jeshurun,
whom I have chosen.
For I will pour water on the thirsty land,
and streams on the dry ground;
I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring,
and my blessing on your descendants.
They will spring up like grass in a meadow,
like poplar trees by flowing streams.
Some will say, ‘I belong to the LORD’;
others will call themselves by the name of Jacob;
still others will write on their hand, ‘The LORD’s,’
and will take the name Israel.
My heart was completely encouraged to hear God say to me that He will pour water on the ground that lacks what it needs-He will give me everything I need to raise these beautiful children and, even more important and reassuring, He will make them His own.
