I’m not really a fan of the doctor. I don’t like being poked or prodded or told that I eat too much cheese. I know I eat too much cheese, doc, which I was I go running even though I absolutely hate it. Over the next few months, though, I’m going to be spending more time at the doctor’s than I have in the past few years.
Yesterday I met our new baby doctor for the first time. Our first baby doctor was completely terrible, which precipitated a change. Our last doctor was aloof and his office was adversarial. Our new doctor is engaged and her office does everything it can to help Alycia. I don’t like doctors that much, but I’m extremely grateful that our doctor is going to monitor our daughter and do everything she can to bring her into this world healthy.
I have no control over the health of our daughter, short of not repeatedly punching Alycia in the stomach. Our doctor has a little more control over the health of our daughter since she knows what to look for and how to actually deliver a baby. But when it really comes down to it most everything is out of our control.
My prayer life has gotten pretty crazy since I found out Alycia was pregnant. It’s gotten even crazier since I found out that we’re going to have a daughter. My prayer life has taken on a greater sense of urgency, like there isn’t enough time in the day to pray all the prayers I want to for our daughter.
I pray that she’s healthy.
I pray that she has 10 fingers and 10 toes – no more, no less.
I pray that she loves Jesus and is wholeheartedly committed to him.
I pray that she loves the church and would spend her life serving God’s kingdom.
I pray for her future husband, that together they would make a lasting impact for God in this world.
I pray that she would be confident and kind, melding the best parts of Alycia and me.
I pray that she would love Star Wars and want to play Magic with me, while also not being so nerdy that she gets bullied.
Those are my prayers and I have been constantly placing them at God’s feet. I know that I have so little control when it comes to my daughter’s life. Sure I’ll be able to clothe her and feed her and take her to church, but it’s God who is going to sustain her life and it’s God who is going to capture her heart.
So just as I have to trust in the doctor’s training when it comes to the medical attention my daughter needs, I have to trust in God and his plan when it comes to literally everything my daughter needs.
It’s scary to think of everything that could happen with my daughter. Those fears, though, are allayed when I bring them to God’s feet. Trusting in God and his will for my daughter’s life isn’t abdicating my responsibility as a father, but it’s rightly understanding whose daughter she truly is.
What helps you trust in God with those things outside your control?
I’m so excited for you!!! I haven’t had the chance to follow much on your blog so I am a bit behind. So happy for you and your wife!!!
The things that help me trust in God is staying focused on how he has been faithful my whole life. It is so hard to worry about the future, however I find peace in knowing he has always been faithful and will continue to be.
Yeah. I think that’s why God constantly tells his people to remember. If we remember how he’s been good to us in the past, then it will be easier for us to trust him in the future.
God is good bro. So happy for you two. I have two little ones. A boy (4) and a girl (1). Prayer for them doesn’t stop after their born. Getting to know their personalities just amps prayer up. Helping them through their struggles using prayer, even now (though it’s mostly about potty training and listening to mom and dad) is pretty cool. I can already see the Lord molding and shaping their lives. He’s so cool.
Thanks for the glimpse into your heart and life. I pray for a healthy and blessed pregnancy and that the Lord pours out His favor and blessing on your beautiful family.
Thanks so much! I’m excited for all the different phases, but I want to be present in each.