Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1.17 ESV

Tonight was a gift to my heart and spirit in all of the best ways. A small group of dear-to-me women gathered in the backyard of a sweet and gracious friend in honor of this incredible life growing in my belly. We sat around a gorgeous table filled with thoughtful and delicious food, ate and had fellowship, painted and shared, laughed and prayed. There were lights strung around the patio, hydrangeas in vases, watercolors filling up the space where empty plates had been. As our amazing host prayed over dinner, the music in the background began as if on cue:

“And all my life You have been faithful, all my life you have been so, so good. With every breath that I am able, Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God…

“…I love your voice. You have led me through the fire. And in the darkest night, You were close like no other. I’ve known you as a Father. I’ve know you as a Friend. And I have lived in the goodness of God.”

I have longed to gather with friends in this way, whether over baby or just because, and there was an extra sweetness in tonight being what it was for so many reasons. To have these incredible friends pray over baby, over every detail, over things deep in my heart that aren’t always spoken–it was just the most hopeful and grace-filled thing. I don’t know how to articulate more except to say that God’s goodness continues to bring me to new places along this road, and tonight was filled with His presence and peace.

Baby, if you ever wonder how you came to be, I’ll have a lot of stories to tell you about the village that lifted you up before you were ever even growing inside of me. They lifted you up then, and they are still lifting you (us) up now, and I don’t think they’ll stop because that’s who they are and who we’re so fortunate to do life alongside. You are about to begin a life here that is filled with some of the most beautiful people I could hope to surround you. It’s all too much grace to contain and gives me so much hope for your future and the future of this world you’re joining for such a time as this. What God has done in your story and what He will do…I just can’t wait to tell you someday, and I can’t wait to find out who you are and who He has created you to be.

You are loved, you are a miracle, and you are surrounded by so much goodness it’s hard to contain it. Come when you’re ready, sweet honeybee. This unfolding is going to be one of the greatest adventures of our lives.

MM