It is well with my soul... meditions of overwhelming thankfulness.

Today I had the destinct privilage of bringing home my firstborn baby boy. The memories of bringing this precious life into the world will forever overwhelm my heart with joy, thankfulness, and many many tears of indescribeable joy. How incredible that the Lord would bless my wife and I with such a beautiful baby boy. I will never forget the tearful and well earned shout of exclamation my wife made when I was able to announce the baby was a boy. Emily had prayed for many many years that the Lord would bless her with a baby boy as her firstborn. She had always hoped that her little boy would grow and watch over and protect his younger sisters & brothers as they grew up. On Saturday morning the Lord answered her many years of prayer, and I was there to witness it.

As we treasured the beginning hours of parenthoood we were surrounded by the love and encouragement of all our family. We were cared for by incredibly humble and servant-hearted hospital professionals, deluged by messages, emails, texts, phone calls, etc of sincere congratulations and excitement surrounding the birth, and most of all we were enamored by the thought that God gave this child to be under our instruction and protection. What a majestic, compassionate, and powerful God we serve!

In the final minutes before leaving the hospital, I was able to take a few minutes as the leader of this new family to speak a blessing over and pray for my new baby boy. How greatly I pray for this young boy to grow and learn to love the Lord all the days of his life. Even more I want him to yearn to worship the Lord in both words, song, and action from now until the day the Lord calls him home. May he forever and always be near to the heart of our God singing songs of worship and praise-  “Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders? " These are the words of blessing as well as others that were spoken over this precious new life as he was commited to the Lord this very day.

While a sea of words would not be enough to describe the magnitude of rejoicing that has occured in my heart these past 4 days.. this much I can say- BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD BOTH NOW AND FOREVERMORE! For he has answered our prayers, delighted to show his favor upon us, and displayed the glory of his creation in the beautiful face of my baby boy held in my arms tonight. May he alone receive the glory, praise, and thankfulness that this heart, these tears, and this inadaquate father can begin to ascribe. Amen.