To Our Unborn Child

I’ve been attempting to process all that’s been happening in our world recently (all the violence, evil and unrest), and doing so in light of preparing to welcome our 3rd child into the world in just 2 months. As such, the best way I could think to respond to these 2 realities was to write a letter to our unborn child. So here it goes…

My dear daughter. Your mommy, brothers and I are so excited for your arrival. It won’t be long now before we begin counting the moons until you come. Your brothers have already placed their predictions as to whether you will come out slowly or quickly, since their births fell on opposite ends of the spectrum. We are beginning to get the house ready for you. Clothes in pinks and purples continue to arrive from family in California. And each day we talk about what life will be like when you come. Your brothers are mentally preparing themselves for your crying, while mommy and I are mentally preparing ourselves for the increased lack of sleep. Often we place our hands on mommy’s tummy and marvel at your movements. We simply cannot wait for you to be born so that our family will be complete.

But despite all of our excitement there’s a sad reality that I need to tell you about. You see, even though you’ll be born into a family that is filled with love, you’re also going to be born into a world that’s filled with brokenness. A world where the news seems to be dominated daily by reports of evil. A world that seems to be plunging further into darkness. You’re also being born into a country that’s seemingly being ripped apart at the seams. A country that was built upon unity and equality, but that’s once again succumbing to division and prejudice. I wish I could offer some words of hope as we’re getting ready to elect a new leader, but it seems like either option will further divide our country; that is if our country even makes it to that election before we implode. As we await your arrival with all of this in mind, it causes mommy and me great distress. Because aside from loving you, your mommy’s and my primary job is to keep you safe. As with your brothers, we will shield you from all of this ugliness for as long as we can because you deserve a childhood filled with love, joy and innocence. But with the way things are going we worry that before long we won’t have that option, and that you’ll be growing up in a world that’s a far scarier place than it is today. All of this raises the question, why would anyone bring a child into this world?!

Well my sweet girl, here’s why we’re going to do it. Because your family believes in a God who’s bigger than all of this brokenness, who’s stronger than all of this evil and who’s brighter than all of this darkness. (You know Him well as He’s the one who’s been knitting you together in mommy’s womb.) Just like you and your brothers are our beloved children, He too has a beloved Son. But He loves this world so much that He sent His only Son to die for every person so that we might all live forever with Him. Jesus showed us just how deep His Daddy’s love is for us. He made it clear that no matter how evil and ugly this world may get it will never have the final word. Jesus truly is our only hope because not only did He fully experience the darkness of our world, but He also overcame it once and for all. Despite so many indicators to the contrary, we still believe this is a beautiful world created by God, and we know it will be made even more beautiful by your existence in it. So yes, we eagerly await your arrival. And no matter what ugliness continues in our world over these next couple of months we will wait with anticipation for the unparalleled beauty of a new life entering this world, we will do our part by being a family that is committed to loving each other and our neighbors and we will continue to trust in God whose goodness is far mightier than any evil the devil can muster. As the time approaches for you to enter this world, know that you have a big family ready and waiting to love you, and an even bigger God who loves you, us and this whole world more than we could ever imagine.

We will see you soon, sweet girl. Love, daddy