The Story Behind the ‘Made for today!’ Babygrow

“Who knows if you haven’t come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14 (WEB)

It was my second pregnancy and everything was going swimmingly. Just like it did the previous time. I looooved being pregnant. Just like I did the previous time. We were expecting a boy. And yes, you guessed it! So was the one before. But one thing was going to be different this time around, I had decided: My second son would certainly not surprise us with an early appearance again the way his brother did.

Not that seven weeks early can by any means compare to the sad stories of other, seriously premature babies. So with all due respect and sympathy to those tiny warriors and their parents, I don’t pretend to know what it feels like in the least.

But even if I couldn’t complain of any serious health issues, there are a few real challenges moms of not-so-very-prem babies face. Like total chaos to get breastfeeding right (while it’s super essential nourishment for a premmie), underdeveloped tummies that lead to overstimulated tear ducts and in turn, weeks of sleepless nights; and of course my personal favourite: prem babies are inclined to cling to you for dear life once they discover the comfort of your arms in stark contrast to the tubes that tie them to their ICU cradles. And so I had a small human joint at my hip by means of a sling for the first few months of my baby’s life.

I reassured myself that these challenges now lay behind me. Surely, I wouldn’t be unlucky enough to have two prem babies. But alas.

“How long have you had these contractions?” The words of the nurse echoed through the examination room like an alarming déjà vu. I laughed. But I wasn’t amused. Was she poking fun at me? Trying to mimic the scenario that played out at the somewhat shaky birth of baby nr 1? Those were the EXACT words the nurse had asked me when we realised my eldest son was making his way to the light ahead of schedule, his mommy blissfully unaware of his premature plans since she couldn’t feel her contractions. But Nurse nr 2 wasn’t amused either.

And so the pattern continued. This time, at least, we had the name settled. After weeks of prayer, God very definitely shone His spotlight on Joshua and I knew that was His name of choice.

But that’s as far as the differences went. All the other details played out pretty much in accordance to round 1. First came the adrenaline shots to mature the lungs in a hurry; giving way to a slew of other ones, tests, monitors, the string of phone calls to reschedule your entire life for the foreseeable future, the emergency caesarean and finally, a few fleeting moments of bliss as you get to hold that bundle of life before he’s whisked away to be pierced by a barrage of needles and as a grand finale: a feeding tube thrust down his throat while no one familiar is nearby to reassure him (with all respect and gratitude to the amazing work the nurses at Neonatal ICU do).

Fast forward a few hours and although I was happy to have a healthy baby in a ward not that far away, I couldn’t help feeling a little done in while I was trying not to glare at the ease with which the mommy next to me was handling her on-time baby.

I decided to focus on the blessing of having my sister by my side, taking a break from her volunteer work in Jerusalem. She was checking the parashah allocated for the day, which is the Torah portion scheduled for the Jewish community as part of their annual Scripture reading. It’s also regarded as prophetic of a child’s life when they’re born in that specific time-frame. As Christian believers, we accept the A-Z of the Bible and view its 1st five books as the foundation of our faith alongside all the other books that follow. Hence there’s no contradiction in the roots of our religions, but more an overlapping or overflow of beliefs. And we know that many of the principles God taught the people of the “Old Testament” still hold true today.

I watched my sister break into tears as she located the parashah for 17 October 2014 and I can say with genuine relief that it wasn’t because it featured Cain and Abel.

Turns out the passage that was on God’s heart that day was about Joshua.

What’s even more significant is the fact a parashah usually stretches over a week, but since this was a Jewish Feast day, there was a special parashah for this day – and this day only. It was “out of place” compared to the normal sequence, singled out and distinctive.

It’s like God was saying: Even if you think he had the date wrong, there’s no error according to My Book of Life. No curve-ball here. And just like so many other times when I had thought my life’s timing was crooked, God stepped in to prove me wrong. A gentle reminder that His plans are bigger and better than mine.

To me this baby was early, but the All-knowing One declared that He had made Joshua for such a time as this!

Yes, God knows the date and He knows the time that we are supposed to make our debut and play our part on the Kingdom stage. Because He has a special plan and purpose for each of us. We are a unique part of the design that completes the full tapestry. Pieces in the puzzle that leave holes in the bigger picture when they’re out of place.

But has the thought crossed your mind that our dreams for our children’s lives don’t always match what God has in mind?

I’m guessing Mordecai would have preferred Esther – his orphaned cousin who he adopted and brought up as his own – to remain with him instead of becoming queen to a foreign king and country to which they were brought as captives. A husband to whom she couldn’t even disclose her true identity. Whose wrath against the disobedience of Esther’s predecessor had cost the former queen dearly.

So deep was his concern for the turn of fate in Esther’s life, that during the 12 months she was preparing to meet king Ahasuerus, Mordecai went to the court where she was staying every day to check on her welfare.

It didn’t seem to be the best choice for the young lady he loved as a daughter. But God knew that the humble spirit He placed within Esther’s equally beautiful exterior was the perfect combination to sway the king’s heart in favour of His chosen people. And soon would come Mordecai’s revelation: “Perhaps you were brought to the kingdom for a time like this.” Esther, of course, goes on to demolish the evil plans of destroying the Jews living in Persia, becoming the heroine responsible for protecting God’s people from the enemy’s onslaught.

Mordecai might have chosen differently for the child that was under his care. Unless he knew what the God of Israel had in mind, right?

Now, as parents we don’t see the end from the beginning like God does. We don’t know his plans and we certainly don’t always understand them as they unfold.

But we CAN know that they are good. (Jeremiah 29:11) It’s better for our children to have one day in God’s courts than a THOUSAND elsewhere. (Psalm 84:10) Put’s things in perspective, doesn’t it?

Buuut, let’s be honest. Even when we know that surrendering our children to God’s will is the best thing we can do for them, it doesn’t always come easy, ESPECIALLY when the call doesn’t seem all that good.

It’s times like those that I’m reminded of the fact that God knows exactly what it feels like to lay down the life of His Son. He’s the One who set the ultimate example so we can see first-hand what happens when parents make those tough calls standing at the forks in their children’s lives. And He didn’t just lay down Jesus’s life, He does so with EVERY one of His children. He gives us free will, the right to choose between Him or the world, right or wrong, good or bad, life or death. Beyond a doubt, God knows what surrender feels like as a parent. He is the Author of surrender.

And He even backs up His example with more from the Bible, like Isaac and Moses to teach us that good, oh-so-good things come from the laying down of children’s lives. The blessing, rescue and deliverance of entire nations ensued from the sacrifices made in their lives. I don’t know about you, but that concept kind of blows becoming a doctor or a lawyer straight out of the water.

There’s no difference in the size of dreams God had for His people then, compared to what He has in mind for the citizens making their bow on the Kingdom stage today. In fact, John 14:12 actually proclaims an escalation in the works those following Jesus will do.

Mom and Dad, we carry this huge responsibility as parents, and our instincts are to control our children’s steps with all the wisdom we can gather. But that huge responsibility of guiding them well, and the huge responsibility of safeguarding them against the sorrows of life, they were planted in your heart by the Father of fathers. And you know what you’re supposed to do with those huge, hefty weights? Give it right back to God. So He can share the load.

We’re wise enough to take out insurance to cover us when things go wrong, right? Because we know that in this world we will have trouble.

Likewise, the only way we have any hope of a good future for our little ones, even our grown-up children, is the insurance policy we have in God’s perfect will for their lives.

And the best way to sign them up is through prayer. Here’s one for a time like this ; )

Father God, thank You that You just so happen to love my child even more than I do. My mind can’t fully grasp that concept, but I open my heart to believe its reassuring truth. Thank You that You want to be my Partner in raising this child. I’m here to seal the deal today, to say that I trust You with the details and dreams of this child’s life. Take my hand on the journey of parenthood. Lead me and guide me to know right from wrong. Grant me the courage and strength to follow Your guidance even when times are tough. Help me to rest in the knowledge that You see the end from the beginning, that You have good plans for my child and that You’re not just the Master of planning, You’re not just the Ruler of the universe, but you’re also the One who holds us in the palm of Your hand. I appoint You as the Authority over this child’s life. I give You right of way, the superior position in my child’s life, over and above that of mine. From today, and every day thereafter. I pray that You will satisfy him/her with long life, and show my child Your salvation. (Psalm 91:16). In Jesus’s name. Amen

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