I was the first know he was coming. Joe's whispered words to Roman and the matronly glow on Ruth Ann's face said it all. The elation that comes with the news of new life is one of those time capsules, but something about this baby made me particularly excited.
In the nine months of waiting for Judah, I couldn't help but anticipate his arrival. It was a supreme delight to be able to share that time with my brother and sister-in-law. I missed most of Ruth Ann's last pregnancy, and it was such a gift to watch their family grow together.
To feel Judah's strong legs as he punted Ruth Ann's stomach. To be there through the donut cravings and movie napping. To catch the small moments of play between a mother and her unborn son. All joys, but for some reason the joy seemed to be multiplying without bounds.
It wasn't until later that I discovered that God has been preparing me for the journey as Judah's Godmother. The new anticipation is for Judah's baptism, for him to enter the Church and see a new stalwart soldier for Christ added to the numbers of the faithful.
Throughout these nine months Judah has been close to my heart and in my prayers. All of me hoped that I would be asked to be his Godmother, but Joe and Ruth Ann have so many amazing and faithful friends, that I was reconciled to the fact that I might never have been called into duty in that way for their family. God has a funny way of doing things HIS way though.
I am called upon to say YES, to enter into the task of aiding Joe and Ruth Ann as a prayer warrior for their family. This world is plagued with uncertain times in an uncertain society. God continues to pour his grace out to those who ask for his aid. The prayer on my heart today is not for myself, but for my 10-day old nephew. May he grow strong and wise and be full of the joy of Christ, that he might be salt to the earth and shine Christ's light to the world.
