We dedicated our darling little Philippa Ruth to the Lord this past Sunday, also dedicating ourselves to bring her up in the training + admonition of the Lord. Making such a public statement of commitment is beautiful, but also difficult. With our firstborn, we did so with innocent pride. Now with our third, we do so fully aware of our complete inability to do the task at hand apart from Christ’s Spirit working in us. We are so thankful for “Christ in us, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27). Apart from that promise, we truly would be hopeless!
The familiar lines from Psalm 145 rang through my soul that day:
“One generation shall commend your works to another,
and shall declare your mighty acts.
On the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds,
and I will declare your greatness.
They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness
and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.
The Lord is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
The Lord is good to all,
and his mercy is over all that he has made.All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,
and all your saints shall bless you!
They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom
and tell of your power,
to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds,
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures throughout all generations.
The Lord is faithful in all his words
and kind in all his works.” {Psalm 145:4-13 ESV}
Little Philippa,
We so hope to show you what a mighty God you have. The One who breathed life into you, the One who formed you in the “secret places” of my womb long before we even knew you were in existence. The One who shaped your very form to be exactly as it is. The One who created you to reflect His image. His works are awesome, child. He is faithful in all His words, kind in all His works. Indeed, His mercy is over all He has made. He is rich in compassion. Unlike your human parents, He is slow to anger. He abounds in love. He has already lavished such great love on you, littlest one, because He has entrusted you to us. The hymn I have sung over you almost every night these past six months that we have held you has been an old one, “When All Thy Mercies, O My God.”
When all Thy mercies, O my God,
My rising soul surveys,
Transported with the view I’m lost
In wonder, love, and praise.Unnumbered comforts to my soul
Thy tender care bestowed
Before my infant heart could know
From whom those comforts flowedWhen worn with sickness, oft hast Thou,
With health renewed my face,
And when in sins and sorrows bowed,
Revived my soul with grace.Through every period of my life
Thy goodness I’ll pursue,
And after death, in distant worlds,
The glorious theme renew.
My favorite line reminds me that He has lavished His love on you FIRST. He first loved you, before your infant heart could know. He first loved you because He entrusted you to a mommy and daddy who are counted amongst His people, a mommy and daddy who are covered in grace, who will sing over you the song of His great love and mercy for ruined sinners such as ourselves. A mommy and daddy who He has first lavished with the Gospel of grace, who in turn plan to ravish your heart with that Gospel.
We praise Him for your precious life and the joy you bring to our family.
We love you so!
Mommy + Daddy
{Photography by Celena Simpson Photography}
everything He gives 