Encouragement from Psalm 139

Between August and the first of October, I’m memorizing Psalm 139. This passage couldn’t come at a more perfect time!

During this timeframe, I will have my first Ob appointment for my 3rd pregnancy at 13-1/2 weeks (August 30) and likely will also have an ultrasound at some point, which will tell us more specifics about our Little Boo!  😉

I admit a bit of apprehension going into this pregnancy. Wondering if I will be on bedrest again and how many weeks it would last. Wondering if I will have preterm labor again and how early it will start. Wondering if I will need another C-section or if I’ll be able to go for a VBAC this time. Wondering if he or she will be another preemie and spend the first few weeks in the NICU like Micah did. Wondering if this one will come even earlier or if, now that we know, we could delay labor longer. Wondering who would care for Mara and Micah through all of that. Wondering . . . and (I should just admit it) sometimes worrying.

But none of it will be a surprise to God. All of the things I learn throughout this pregnancy and all the things I see in the ultrasound will be ordained by God before this little one ever existed.

Listen to these verses:

¹³For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.

¹⁴I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

¹⁶Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

From these verses I learn . . .

• God designed each aspect of my baby.
• His design is “wonderful,” a cause for praise! I take this verse with me into the ultrasound. No matter what, God’s design is wonderful, a cause for praise!
• God sees and knows my baby in my womb. Nothing about his or her development is hidden from–or a surprise to–God.
• And verse 16 reminds me that the baby will not be “early” or “late.” In God’s book are written, every one of them, the days that are formed for you, my little one, when as yet there are none of them. My baby will be born on God’s timetable.

This verse particularly was a wonderful comfort when I was on bedrest with Micah, experiencing preterm labor, and when he was born at 32 weeks. This was no surprise–it was God’s perfect plan: His design for our growth in Christlikeness and for His glory to be displayed in and through our lives. And God certainly received the glory from Micah’s birth!

I talked to a dear dear friend today–one of my bridesmaids! 🙂 She too is pregnant–with their third–and she too is 12 weeks along. She too had a 32-week-NICU baby, and a second pregnancy with progesterone shots, bedrest, and finally (success) a 36-weeker! She too is looking to the Lord in trust that His ways are higher than our ways. It was so incredibly encouraging to talk to her today. Knowing we’re in similar circumstances, and both desiring God’s glory above all!

I pray that with God’s grace, we will both continue to say, “I praise you! Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”