I'd planned out exactly what "essentials" we'd pick up, but ultimately things like shaving cream and Advil found their way into our cart. (Many friends warned me of how difficult a sudden revelation that "we're out of toilet paper!" can be during post-partum.) I was beginning to doubt that our gift cards would stretch that far, which was totally fine. But then, the clerk handed me back several cards that we hadn't needed. Wow!
Okay, so I'll go online and pick up a few of those "nice to have" accessories for the stroller and the diaper pail we'd been waffling on. "It probably won't cover all of it, especially with shipping, but I'll be grateful to have these things later on."
Again, not only did the cards cover everything...there was a little left over. I shook my head and laughed.
This process repeated itself for all three stores we registered at. I'm still in shock. We were gifted enough to cover everything we needed and more! And as we put things away, threw out packaging, and looked around our home, I got choked up at how it finally looks (and has always felt) like there's a place for our baby girl in this home.
God has provided abundantly for our family!
From hand-me-downs to gifts. From borrowed items to free advice. From Baby's full closet to her jam-packed bookshelf. From the meal schedule a friend set up to the freezer stocked with meals. God made sure our baby girl, and her parents, will be cared for in the weeks ahead. I'm so grateful!
How could I not share this story of blessing? It truly felt like a "loaves and fishes" moment. (See Matthew 14 & 15, Mark 6 & 8, Luke 9, or John 6 for the full story. Jesus has this provision thing down!) I can't wait to tell our little miracle the stories surrounding her birth.
Reading through the Psalms has been a great comfort and encouragement to me in these last few weeks of pregnancy, and this passage has jumped to mind again and again. This is my hope for our daughter, that we would be parents constantly pointing out to her the things God has done, is doing, and promises to do.
"We will not hide them from their children,
but tell to the coming generation
the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might,
and the wonders that he has done.
He established a testimony in Jacob
and appointed a law in Israel,
which he commanded our fathers
to teach to their children,
that the next generation might know them,
the children yet unborn,
and arise and tell them to their children,
so that they should set their hope in God
and not forget the works of God,
but keep his commandments;
and that they should not be like their fathers,
a stubborn and rebellious generation,
a generation whose heart was not steadfast,
whose spirit was not faithful to God."
(Psalm 78:4-8, ESV)
