the little things...
I am so far behind, Madelyn. Not just with writing to you, but with many things. The holidays hit, and then illness, and then we began our kitchen renovation, so our lives have been a whirlwind. A bit hectic, and we've operated out of, what feels like, survival mode, for a while. But things are finally starting to come together and we're getting back into the groove of life.
Since our last post you celebrated your first Christmas, grew a few more teeth, had a rough go with your health, and handled everything that came your way like a champ! You really are the best spirited baby, and you're full of joy. You gave us a little scare at the beginning of December with what we thought was RSV. Turns out, you had brochiolitis. Just when you got over that, you developed an ear infection. But you hardly complained a bit, and I got to enjoy a lot of extra snuggles with you. In fact, we spent one full day snuggling non-stop and I loved every moment. Your sweet little baby ways fade more and more each month, as do the snuggles, so I take them anytime I can get them.
You are such a strong gal. Seriously, you've got the grip of a gorilla and know how to use your weight to your advantage. And although you could be crawling right now, you refuse to. You make it very clear that you are 100% not the least bit interested in trying by making a pitiful scene each time we try to practice crawling with you. I know you can do it! You're much more interested in standing, so you like to use me as a human jungle gym. I can tell your lack of mobility is frustrating for you. I know full well that crawling and walking are a game changer, but I think we're both ready for you to have a little independence in that area.
This month's topic is faithfulness. I was reading through Hebrews a few weeks ago and came to a familiar passage that I've probably read a hundred times, but one verse stuck out to me for the first time and I wanted to share it with you.
"It was by faith that Moses' parents hid him for three months when he was born. They saw that God had given them an unusual child, and they were not afraid to disobey the king's commands." Hebrews 11:23
The Pharaoh had issued a command that all Hebrew baby boys be killed upon birth. I know that sounds horrific. Who could possibly take a look at a newborn baby and see no value in that child's life? Who could hear the cries of new life and immediately silence such a small, innocent voice so full of promise, potential, and hope? The thought process of Pharaoh wasn't much different than the thought process of the people of America today. He was scared. Afraid. He feared what he didn't know. And all he could thing about was himself. So he came up with a plan to take care of it. A terrible plan.
But there were a few midwives who were more concerned about what God wanted rather than what Pharaoh wanted. They knew God valued life. That he was crafting and creating these baby boys and gifting them to Hebrew families as a great blessing. And so they protected life. They stood for it. They met evil with courage and faithfulness and because of it, a baby boy named Moses was born.
He shouldn't have been. Had things gone Pharaoh's way, he wouldn't have been. But he was. And he was the one God would use to do great and mighty things. Too many things to write about in this post. He was a leader of God's people. One of the most influential men of the Jewish race. But Moses wouldn't have made it far were it not for those midwives and his parents.
I don't know his parents' names off the top of my head. In fact, Hebrews doesn't even focus on that. They're at the top of a list of people who are called by their first name and known for great things. Warriors and victors and kings and leaders. People who led armies and wrote parts of the Bible, saved nations, and even started them. Talk about legacy makers. They shone bright like stars in the sky for the faith the exhibited, and we're talking big things here. Rare opportunities, too. And yet Moses' parents fall on this list of people. Two people who were just doing what all parents do. Having babies and taking care of them. Being faithful in the small things. And yet we see here that faithfulness practiced in small ways is used by God in mighty big ways.
In Matthew 25, Jesus tells a parable about a faithful servant. His master says to him, "Well done my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together!"
God rewards faithfulness, Madelyn. Both small and big. And, truth be told, sometimes it's hard to be faithful in the small things. The big things are usually obvious and so we know we need to muster up all of our faith for those. But the small things, well, those can easily go overlooked. Or, because they seem so simple and mundane, we underestimate them. Small things don't always get noticed and praised. And not many people strive to do small things in life. It's the big things, we think. The big things that matter the most. But maybe the big things are actually only big because they're made up of a whole lot of small things. It's the little acts of faithfulness that add up over time. Being faithful no matter what. No matter who notices, how hard or easy it may be, no matter who else is doing it or who isn't. It's being faithful to God in whatever situation or circumstance he has given you because you believe that it's not by coincidence you're where you are, and you trust that what you're doing is all part of a bigger plan.
And so sometimes being faithful means having your baby. Sometimes it means raising them and honoring their lives. And it means trusting them to God. I'd sure have a heck of a hard time shipping you or your sister down stream in a basket with hopes someone would find you, raise you as their own, and love you as much as I do. But what we find out is that God does reward the faithfulness of Moses' mother, and she actually gets to be a part of his life! It doesn't end when she sails him down the river. It was actually the beginning of a really incredible story!
You will faced with so many choices and opportunities over your lifetime, Madelyn, and I hope and pray that you will, "Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck and write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man." (Proverbs 3:3-4) One faithful act by you will become a great blessing in the making!
Since our last post you celebrated your first Christmas, grew a few more teeth, had a rough go with your health, and handled everything that came your way like a champ! You really are the best spirited baby, and you're full of joy. You gave us a little scare at the beginning of December with what we thought was RSV. Turns out, you had brochiolitis. Just when you got over that, you developed an ear infection. But you hardly complained a bit, and I got to enjoy a lot of extra snuggles with you. In fact, we spent one full day snuggling non-stop and I loved every moment. Your sweet little baby ways fade more and more each month, as do the snuggles, so I take them anytime I can get them.
You are such a strong gal. Seriously, you've got the grip of a gorilla and know how to use your weight to your advantage. And although you could be crawling right now, you refuse to. You make it very clear that you are 100% not the least bit interested in trying by making a pitiful scene each time we try to practice crawling with you. I know you can do it! You're much more interested in standing, so you like to use me as a human jungle gym. I can tell your lack of mobility is frustrating for you. I know full well that crawling and walking are a game changer, but I think we're both ready for you to have a little independence in that area.
This month's topic is faithfulness. I was reading through Hebrews a few weeks ago and came to a familiar passage that I've probably read a hundred times, but one verse stuck out to me for the first time and I wanted to share it with you.
"It was by faith that Moses' parents hid him for three months when he was born. They saw that God had given them an unusual child, and they were not afraid to disobey the king's commands." Hebrews 11:23
The Pharaoh had issued a command that all Hebrew baby boys be killed upon birth. I know that sounds horrific. Who could possibly take a look at a newborn baby and see no value in that child's life? Who could hear the cries of new life and immediately silence such a small, innocent voice so full of promise, potential, and hope? The thought process of Pharaoh wasn't much different than the thought process of the people of America today. He was scared. Afraid. He feared what he didn't know. And all he could thing about was himself. So he came up with a plan to take care of it. A terrible plan.
But there were a few midwives who were more concerned about what God wanted rather than what Pharaoh wanted. They knew God valued life. That he was crafting and creating these baby boys and gifting them to Hebrew families as a great blessing. And so they protected life. They stood for it. They met evil with courage and faithfulness and because of it, a baby boy named Moses was born.
He shouldn't have been. Had things gone Pharaoh's way, he wouldn't have been. But he was. And he was the one God would use to do great and mighty things. Too many things to write about in this post. He was a leader of God's people. One of the most influential men of the Jewish race. But Moses wouldn't have made it far were it not for those midwives and his parents.
I don't know his parents' names off the top of my head. In fact, Hebrews doesn't even focus on that. They're at the top of a list of people who are called by their first name and known for great things. Warriors and victors and kings and leaders. People who led armies and wrote parts of the Bible, saved nations, and even started them. Talk about legacy makers. They shone bright like stars in the sky for the faith the exhibited, and we're talking big things here. Rare opportunities, too. And yet Moses' parents fall on this list of people. Two people who were just doing what all parents do. Having babies and taking care of them. Being faithful in the small things. And yet we see here that faithfulness practiced in small ways is used by God in mighty big ways.
In Matthew 25, Jesus tells a parable about a faithful servant. His master says to him, "Well done my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together!"
God rewards faithfulness, Madelyn. Both small and big. And, truth be told, sometimes it's hard to be faithful in the small things. The big things are usually obvious and so we know we need to muster up all of our faith for those. But the small things, well, those can easily go overlooked. Or, because they seem so simple and mundane, we underestimate them. Small things don't always get noticed and praised. And not many people strive to do small things in life. It's the big things, we think. The big things that matter the most. But maybe the big things are actually only big because they're made up of a whole lot of small things. It's the little acts of faithfulness that add up over time. Being faithful no matter what. No matter who notices, how hard or easy it may be, no matter who else is doing it or who isn't. It's being faithful to God in whatever situation or circumstance he has given you because you believe that it's not by coincidence you're where you are, and you trust that what you're doing is all part of a bigger plan.
And so sometimes being faithful means having your baby. Sometimes it means raising them and honoring their lives. And it means trusting them to God. I'd sure have a heck of a hard time shipping you or your sister down stream in a basket with hopes someone would find you, raise you as their own, and love you as much as I do. But what we find out is that God does reward the faithfulness of Moses' mother, and she actually gets to be a part of his life! It doesn't end when she sails him down the river. It was actually the beginning of a really incredible story!
You will faced with so many choices and opportunities over your lifetime, Madelyn, and I hope and pray that you will, "Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck and write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man." (Proverbs 3:3-4) One faithful act by you will become a great blessing in the making!
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