"So do you know if it's a boy or a girl?"
If I were given a nickel for every time I got asked that question these days, we'd have no need to raise support.
Trevor and I enjoy this one little surprise in life. We didn't find out with either Acácia or Eliana whether or not we would be getting a boy or girl come birth day. And yes, we completely agree that it is still a surprise when you find out on an ultrasound day as opposed to the day that baby enters the world kicking and screaming. So, I'm not really here to compare one way of doing over the other...there is really no difference between the two, just saying we like to wait because it's fun for us.
What happens after the question is popped is more the topic of choice. One of three responses usually transpires after I say that we won't find out until we meet this baby:
1. "Why in the world not?!" -- annoyance
2. "I don't know how you do it." -- quasi-jealousy
3. "Good for you!" -- admiration
Even more interesting is the phrase that follows about 98% of the time....
"As long as the baby's healthy!".
Well-meaning? Yes. Cultural? Yes. With complete good intention? Yes. Accurate? I don't really think so.
It's more what this phrase implies that causes me to go deep in thought after each time I hear it. Being pregnant forces you to allow yourself to think through all of the possible outcomes of this whole 9 months of growing life inside of you. What if the baby is not "healthy"? Then what?
The Lord knows that we pray for this baby's physical health, as we do for each of our other children. It is most certainly not something we take lightly, but there is almost an unspoken element to this statement that implies that the baby would somehow be flawed or less-than if he or she is born "unhealthily". As if this is THE big question that will make or break a deal or that will dictate our joy come that blessed day.
The Lord knows what the days ahead would bring if our child is not born in the way we expect, but regardless, he or she is the child God has given to us in just the way He purposed. It is a life created by God, entering into this world at just that precise moment in history, meant to give us a little more of a clearer picture of our Father's heart, in whatever fashion God deems pleasing to Himself, beyond mere physical health. May God be glorified through this child's life. May He be magnified and worshiped by all of His glorious creation.
I am 34 weeks along on this journey...so we will let you know in a few short weeks the answer to the boy/girl question! We are so looking forward to meeting this little one and finding out which (boy or girl) God has blessed us with. Until then!
2 comments:
Such a submitted heart at such a poignant time! It was a blessing to read this, Sarah. It reminded me of something we studied in our women's Bible study back when we were looking at the attributes of God. We focused on "goodness" being one of them, with the resulting truth being God is good. Not because of what He does that blesses us, but just because it's a part of His nature. He is the definition of good; therefore all he does is good. For humans in general (assuming world-wide) "good" is often defined by what brings us ease and comfort. So, naturally we want a healthy baby because that's a bit more easier to swallow than an unhealthy baby. It sounds crude and selfish, but I think all I'm trying to say is: God is good when our babies are healthy or unhealthy. God is good when they are a girl or a boy. :) God is just good. And He does all things for our good and because He loves us. As you said, whatever brings Him glory--it reminds me of John 12:28. I read something by Joni Eareckson Tada this morning where she was expounding on Is. 43:6-7 & she wrote "Ever wonder exactly why God created you? Or why he placed children in your specific family? God couldn't have spelled it out any plainer than in Isaiah 43:6-7. He created you and me for one purpose: to showcase his glory, to enjoy it, display it, and demonstrate it every day to all those we encounter...God is invisible. In the Old Testament, whenever he wanted to display his character, his innermost being, he did so through something visible like a burning bush, a pillar of cloud or of fire, or a "theophany" (an appearance of the pre-incarnate Christ). In the New Testament, God displayed his glory through his Son, Jesus. But Jesus doesn't physically walk on earth anymore, and bushes that burn are only in prairie fires or piles of raked leaves. So how does an invisible God display his glory in this age? Through you. What a privilege."
Then after I just read this http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/i-wish-i-had-a-child-like-you, I thought of your post. I'm getting wordy, but I guess I just wanted to say I really appreciated your words. As a NICU nurse I've watched a lot of babies die or suffer. Naturally we just want them to be healthy and when it comes to our own it takes great faith in God's goodness to be submitted to His will as we wait the life He has planned in each pregnancy.
Praying with you! 1 Tim 4:4 "For everything created by God is good..."
What an encouragement you are, my friend. So much good stuff in your note! I will read it a few times so I can meditate on all the good truths packed in there:) Love you, friend.
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