Is God Punishing Us? Never!

I still don't think the full realization of God's recent "great" blessing on the lives of me and my family has occurred in my weak mind. I'm not talking about waking up this morning alive. I'm also not talking about every beat of my heart or every breath of my lungs. It's nothing financial, but it is material. It's one of the few material blessings that truly matter to God. It is one of the greatest blessings that our Heavenly Father can offer anyone.

Yesterday afternoon, I sat my two youngest daughters down (along with my wife and oldest daughter) and told them that God has given us a most precious gift - another child. While they were excited with mixed emotions, the full realization hasn't occurred in their minds either. I would go so far as to say that none of us have fully realized the scope of God's love with this blessing.

Back when my wife and I first thought we might be pregnant, we kept leaning on our previous conclusion that our youngest daughter Alyssa, now almost 6, was our last. She had come almost two years after Hannah, as an answer to prayers about a sister, best friend, and playmate for Hannah. The two of them would grow up together, helping one another with encouragement, joy, and support throughout their lives. It was "perfect". Our family was complete. At least, it was complete in our minds.

"Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." - 1 Cor 1:25 (NKJV)

Obviously, God's good and perfect will knows exactly what we need and when we need it. He has deemed it important that we have another child. Praise Him! Even now, I can perfectly remember the birth of my daughters and the emotions (and tears) that washed over me. I remember my lips praising our Heavenly Father for such beautiful gifts. Not only are our daughters precious gifts, but the ability for me to recall those moments with such clarity are wonderful blessings. God is so good!

"Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward." - Psa 127:3 (NKJV)

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning." - Jam 1:17 (NKJV)

He has elected my family to have another child. I don't understand why, but I am confident that His plans for us are perfect. I am confident in His will being done. I am not concerned about our relatively small house. I am not concerned about the size of my car (or my wife's truck), knowing that they won't fit six of us.

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." - 2 Tim 1:7 (NKJV)

I will lean on our Heavenly Father to provide the wisdom, understanding, and blessings we need. Where He leads, we will follow. What He asks of us, we will do. How can we refuse Him, after He has once again blessed us so very richly? Father, I don't understand your plans for us at this time, but I trust you completely; knowing that your good and perfect will be done at the appointed time. Lord, I praise you for your power and love! Lord, I thank you for your grace and mercy! Your grace is sufficient for us all!

So, President-Elect Barack Hussein Obama, are we being "punished with a baby"? Is it a "mistake" on our part? Woe to those who believe it is.

Please pray for my family and our unborn child. Ask that God's will be done. That alone is sufficient in comforting us completely. Grace be with you!

Blessings,
Ric Crooks