What a two-week old baby has taught me...

It's amazing what God can show us through a Witt-ness. On October 23, 2008, my cousin Melanie gave birth to a beautiful baby boy Witt Harris Lupher. Witt, perfect to us and our Lord, was born with a genetic deficiency. After a multitude of tests, the doctors found out he was born with a partial extra gene on chromosome 1. There are only 6 cases in the United States. I am not going to focus on his disorder or what it means, but I want to tell you what this has meant to me.

Witt has taught me three major lessons in his 2-weeks of life: that God is abounding in love, that every day is a miracle, and that God is faithful to the faithful.

Last night I was doing my Bible study for "knowing God by name" and a scripture came up that reminded me of Witt. The lesson was on God's character of steadfast love or "chesed." Chesed is more than the love that we have for our friends, significant others, or even our children. It is a steadfast love. No matter what we do, God loves us.

The example in the Bible of Hosea is the best explanation of this. Hosea's wife was a prostitute. He loved her so much he married her, but she left him to back to a life of prostitution. Most of us would say, "see ya!" But Hosea had a steadfast love for his wife, chesed, that he purchased her back. She scorned him for this, but he still loved her. This shows a love that I can't imagine. In this situation, we would rightfully bid farewell to someone like this and find another that loves us and cares for us.

How precious is your steadfast love, O' God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings- Psalms 36:7

Sweet baby Witt has truly taken refuge in the shadow of His wings. God's love for Witt is steadfast. Never changing. This led me to think about how easy it is for us to wholeheartedly believe this for Witt, but we forget sometimes that God's love is just as steadfast for us despite what we do (because another character is his mercy).

His love is steadfast for Mel and Austan (my cousin and her husband) and all of His children. But think of how we have treated God. He sent his son who died for us, a death he did not deserve. I think of all that I've done and the times I've turned from God. Yet he loves me still. I am amazed that I serve such a loving God. Praise Rav-Chesed, He who is abounding in Love.

In Witt, I have never been so thankful for each new day. Everyday is a miracle. I grew up knowing that we are not promised tomorrow, but never have I rejoiced so much in each day as I do now. Every moment is celebrated. I am so thankful for each step he takes.

But why do we not celebrate these moments in our own lives? Why do I not praise God for each accident nearly missed on the treacherous drive down I-10? Shouldn't I praise God for every morning I wake up? Every time I get to pet my beautiful doggie? Every time I get that "direct deposit notice" that allows me to pay my bills? Heck! I should praise God for every bill I pay because I have the ability to pay it! I should praise God for every second I complain that I have to sit in front of a computer screen instead of waiting in an unemployment line!

This is the day that the Lord hath made. I will rejoice and be glad in it! Psalms 118:24

Finally, Witt has shown me that God is still in the business of miracles. He still answers prayers.

Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. - Psalms 37: 3-6

God has definitely answered our prayers in Witt. He has given Melanie and Austan the desires of their hearts in each moment they get with their little angel. We have diligently prayed night and day that God will shine through Witt. Again, I relate this to our lives. Why do we not realize all that God wants to give us? Why do we not diligently pray over our lives? Hello! God can work miracles in Witt, I am sure he can work miracles every day.

The one disclaimer I must make, because it is a pet peeve of mine, is that God is faithful to the faithful. Most people read this and think that God is promising to give us everything we want. The 'ol "ask and ye shall receive" clause. Notice that each promise comes with a sacrifice. You have to praise God continuously, and He will give you the desires of your heart.

I know this is a tangent, but it is important to clarify also that God may not give us what we think we want. We often forget that he knows more than we do. That pesky part of the Bible just gets in the way, huh?

For those that think God should just give and we receive. Think of how you are with children. You don't just give your children everything do you? On the same token, you know what is best for you children don't you? Since I don't have children, I will use my doggie Izzy who might as well be human. She doesn't get a treat unless she is good and obeys her master. And she doesn't just get all the treats she wants. I know, as her master and mommy, what is best for her, and if she eats too much she will get sick and fat and not fit in her clothes! God is amazing to give us these human examples of His love.

So in Witt who has amazing and faithful parents we have seen how God is faithful to His children. And God has given them a miracle as rough as the road my seem.

My my, how much I have learned through the tiny life of Witt. So I praise God for Witt. He truly is a witt-ness to God's abounding love.