Wishes for Baby

Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

—Deuteronomy 11:19

He’s coming soon and we’re getting excited.  We’re preparing and bringing gifts, for the baby boy is on the way.  My first grandson, that is. 

On Saturday we celebrated with a baby sprinkle for his mom, my daughter-in-law Tara. Some of you may be wondering what a baby sprinkle is.  Designed for mothers who already have a child and the big ticket items that go with babies but need gender-specific clothes and accessories, a sprinkle is a scaled-down shower.

This was my first time hosting a sprinkle, and I wanted to keep it true to theme—simpler than a shower.  Not a lot of over-the-top shower games, but something different.  Thanks to the Internet, I found an activity, which invited guests to write fill-in-the-blank wishes for the baby. After the gifts had been opened and the guests settled down with sprinkle cupcakes and sundaes, we took turns sharing our wishes.

How would you fill in the blank?
How would God?

Some made us laugh, like “I hope you get hair” and “I hope you grow tall…because I’ve always been short and know how challenging that is.”

Others made us breathe a collective “Aww,” like “I hope you never forget how much I love you,” “I hope you get all that you need,” and “I hope you grow up to be just like your dad.”

A hush fell over the gathering when the final wish was read and we passed our keepsake papers to Tara. “That was sweet,” she said.

And I thought so too. Sweeter than cupcakes and sundaes. And a perfect way to top off the party.

We packed up the food, we packed up the gifts, and we packed up the precious wishes—on paper and in our hearts.

And I kept pondering about what I had penned and what others had penned—and how any of us came to write what we did. Of course, our wishes came from our hearts, but how did they get there in the first place?  Because they were handed down from our parents, our relatives, our close friends? Or because of our life experiences? Perhaps it was all of that, swirled together like an ice cream sundae. Some taught, some caught.

Those of us who are parents must continue the teaching part, for Scripture tells us, “Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up” (Deuteronomy 11:19).

And as for the “caught” part, we need to leave that up to God, for He knows what experiences are best for each of His children. As parents, we may hope to shield our children from all heartache and grief, but God the Father of us all can use even the most grievous circumstances to mold us into the children He has created us to be. “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord” (Isaiah 55:8).

Then I began to wonder about God’s wishes for the baby—His wishes for me and for each of His children.  I know He thinks about me a lot, for His Word says, “How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them” (Psalm 139:17)!

While I do not know His exact thoughts, I do know about His character by reading His Word and I think He may fill in the blanks something like this:

I hope you learn to do right (Isaiah 1:17).

I hope you aren’t afraid for I am with you (Isaiah 41:10).

I hope you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength (Mark 12:30).

I hope you get to the throne of grace with confidence, so that you may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16).

I hope you laugh often, for a cheerful heart is good medicine (Proverbs 17:22).

I hope you never forget to rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

I hope you ignore the counsel of the wicked (Psalm 1:1) and those who falsely say all kinds of evil against you (Matthew 5:11).

I hope you become all that you were created to be, for I have plans for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).

I hope you respect your father and your mother (Exodus 20:12).

I hope you grow in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men (Luke 2:52).

 Love, 

 Your Heavenly Father

I hope that all of God’s wishes for you come true and that when He sends His Son once again, you will not be found wanting, but will be found with favor and grace. I hope you are obedient to His Word and that you use the gifts He has lavished (not sprinkled!) upon you for His divine purpose and plan for your life. I hope you share His love with your children. And one more thing—I hope you grow up to be just like your dad.

He is coming soon. We’re getting excited.  Are you prepared? Are your children?

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3), Your wonderful plans (Psalm 139:16) and wishes for my life, and Your lavish gifts—including the gift of children (Psalm 127:3).  May I be ever faithful in pointing these little ones to You (Matthew 19:14). Amen.