Your Sister Will Arrive Soon

June 26, 2008

Dear Katie and Luke:

This will probably be the last letter addressed to just the two of you. Mommy's due date has passed, and she is actually at the doctor's right now receiving counsel about the best time to deliver this baby. Katie, your room got painted pink today. I just know that your baby sister will appreciate the color since it will also be her room!

Luke, you had "daddy time" last night. We're going to have to stick together since very soon the girls are going to outnumber us. I hope to teach you how to be a servant leader.

Life is about to change a bit. I'm very excited to see how the two of you react to your baby sister. I pray often that as the years go by, you will influence her toward the Lord.

I'm very curious to see this child's personality. Mom says she has been much more like Katie was in the womb than Luke. I'm sure she'll be her own person. Our Creator is quite creative!

Grandpa and Grandma Noble are in town, and Granddad and Grandma Burchett will be here next week. These are enjoyable days. God has been good to us, hasn't He?

I love you!

With Joy and Anticipation,
Daddy

"Creator of All Babies, We Give You Praise"

The following brief poem was written when reflecting upon Job 1:20-22, Psalm 139:13-16, and John 9:3, and also in anticipation of the arrival of our sixth child (Katie, Luke, and three babies who miscarried preceded this baby girl ). This was also inspired by a dream I had recently in which this soon-to-be-born girl was 9 or 10 years old and she had Downs Syndrome. Lastly, this poem is in honor of Kaleb Schaffner, my sister’s precious boy who has Cerebral Palsy and is a wonderful demonstration of God’s great handiwork. [6-24-08]

Creator of All Babies, We Give You Praise

The parents are told, “Good health is what matters.”
Yet this is purely unbiblical chatter.
The womb is the workshop where God forms and weaves.
With each baby’s design, He’s never displeased.
Creator of all babies, we give You praise!

Clarity arrives when on God we reflect.
See wisdom, see goodness, He makes no rejects.
But what about babies who live only days?
Job says, “The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away.”
Creator of all babies, we give You praise!

So when our baby comes one day very soon,
The craftsmanship of God will exit the womb.
Either ill or healthy, God’s plan we will know.
A child in His image, Christ’s love we must show.

Creator of all babies, we give You praise!

"Daddy, I'm Scared of the Monsters!"

June 5, 2008

Dear Luke:

At 2:30 am a couple of nights ago, I awoke to your cries (and screams) of desperation. I stumbled to your room to find you shaking and sobbing in your bed. I asked you why you were crying, and you said, "Daddy, I'm scared of the monsters!" I grabbed you in a "fatherly" way, softly told you that there are no monsters in your room, and I encouraged you to trust in God, reminding you of one of your memory verses, Psalm 56:3, "When I am afraid, I will trust in you." I then prayed with you asking the Lord to take care of you, and almost immediately you were asleep.

I loved being there for you, holding your three year-old little body tight, speaking words of hope, and praying with you. I am blessed to have this responsibility, and I am praying that nights like those affect you greatly, that truths taught by words and actions will be remembered, and then that all throughout your life, when you are afraid, you will put your trust in the Lord. I will not always be there, but if Christ is your Savior, you will have nothing to fear. Remember these promises:

"O LORD, how my adversaries have increased! Many are rising up against me. Many are saying of my soul, 'There is no deliverance for him in God.' But You, O LORD, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head. I was crying to the LORD with my voice, And He answered me from His holy mountain. I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustains me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me round about. Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God! For You have smitten all my enemies on the cheek; You have shattered the teeth of the wicked. Salvation belongs to the LORD; Your blessing be upon Your people!" (Psalm 3)

"For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39).

I love you, buddy. Rest in Christ.

With Hope,
Daddy