Well, we had our 17 week sonogram today. It went really well, except for the part we were all waiting for, you know, finding out if it is indeed the baby girl that Dylan is demanding or if we will put our daughter into shock by having a boy. We got two opinions from the doctor and the sonographer. Sonographer says its a boy and the doctor suspects a girl. Thanks, guys. The baby had its legs crossed in a "vise grip" position with the umbilical cord tightly tucked between. Thanks, baby. We do not care one way or the other, we are just delighted to be having another child. This is indeed a miraculous event before us. This is the phrase I have heard over and over during the last few weeks, "Well, as long is it's healthy, it doesn't matter if its a boy or a girl, right?" The answer to that is, "Right." Sort of. I don't mean to sound pesky about the way things are worded, but that question begs the implication that if my child is born unhealthy, I somehow may not want them anymore. Which, for the Christian is not true. We, as Christians are separated from the world in this: we value the lives of others above ourselves. We do not look at children with disablities and think that they are a nusance to our "perfect" little life, nor do we use the "pity" ticket as to say that it's not fair to bring a child with such birth defects or disablities into this world. Who are we to say who is worthy or unworthy to live every day that the Lord has given them? We do not look at an elderly person or a terminal cancer patient at the end of their life as someone whose life can be disposed of "humanely", so that they may die with dignity. We look at the trials the Lord has set before them as a blessing, not a curse. We see that what it says throughout the bible about trials refining the faith of a believer or drawing an unbeliever unto faith and repentance in our God. I see someone fighting through the pains and agonies of life with the grace and beauty of our Lord a way to die with dignity. I have seen it with my own eyes, old saints, drawing comfort and strength from their Lord and bringing Him much glory by their integrity in the face of death. It is glorious and it is supernatural. No strength of man can bring about this abiility, nor can we as Christians value life as precious as we do unless God has granted us a new heart and the power of His Spirit.
So, I guess my answer to the question I keep getting is: "Of course, I do pray that God would grant me a healthy child, but I will thankfully receive whatever child the Lord gives me, male or female, healthy or frail, this child will be beautiful and loved because he or she is created in the image of God." This child will be immediately given back to the Lord as an offering, just as Dylan was, so that we may raise our children, healthy or ill, in the fear and admonition of the Lord Most High.
