Two Weeks: Prayers

Two weeks from tonight, I should be holding a new little baby. (Assuming I don't go in labor during the Alabama game tomorrow night...) I've never known the date a child would be arriving and, I guess, technically, I don't know this one since she could certainly whenever she wants! It is strange to think, though, that in just fourteen days the entire dynamic of our family life will change.

I am praying for a healthy baby girl, a smooth delivery, and a quick recovery. I pray that this little girl that is already formed and well over 6 pounds, will enter this world and our family with great joy. I pray that the Lord will allow us to get to know her in the precious and intimate ways we've gotten to know her brother and sister. I pray that she will feel securely loved right from the start. I pray that Lillie's will develop an every-growing steadfast commitment to the Lord and that her life will be marked by a beautiful hope.

I am praying that Sophie will feel like her dream has come true and that she will fully enjoy

having a new baby sister. I pray that she will be secure in the love we have for her as our precious first-born child. I pray she will cherish the knowledge that she is truly known and truly loved. I pray that she will continue to rise to the challenge of being a leader, and that she will lead Will and Lillie down paths of wisdom, all the while maintaining her amazingly child-like heart!

I am praying that Will will feel secure in the love we all have for him and in his very special

place as the only boy in our family. I pray he will one day understand how much he was longed for and prayed for, and that his worth is immeasurable. I pray that no matter how big or strong he becomes, he will always be able to be my baby boy. I pray that he will become a confident older brother, not just a precious younger one, and that, in time, he will become a protector for both of my girls. I pray that Will's life will be marked by strength and a steadfast commitment to truth.

I pray that Matt and I will hold tight! (To the Lord and one another, but just in general, too!) I pray that we will encourage each other to be growing, faithful Christ-followers, loving,

committed partners in marriage, and grace-filled, devoted parents. I pray we will allow each other a soft place to fall when we fall short of these goals. I pray we will see beauty and potential in the inevitable chaos, and that somehow we won't let our children realize that they have us outnumbered!

I pray that the next two weeks (or however long it turns out to be) will be full of peace in our home. A football game will be played, snow may fall, school will start, and family will arrive. There will be excitement for sure, but I pray that peace will reign in our home and in our hearts as we wait for our family to change and love to grow.