hopes & dreams

I just want those of you that are concerned to know this: I do not plan on ONLY blogging about the baby/pregnancy from this point forward. Sorry for two posts in a row over the topic. Those of you that don't care...read on!

Brent and I knew even before finding out the sex of this child that we wanted to pray for specific characteristics for our son or daughter to develop. In October we went for a stroll one evening and talked about our future hopes and dreams for this baby, and then we each picked two traits on our own if we were having a son, and two other traits if we were having a daughter. Then we shared with one another, discussed, and came up with our final list for each.

Last Thursday when we found out we were having a daughter, we pulled out that list and have begun praying. I wrote the traits on our bathroom mirror as a reminder to us everyday. We pray that the following adjectives will one day be used to describe our daughter:

joyful
modest
compassionate
hospitable

I've included the dictionary definition for each of these, but also a little bit about why we chose these specific traits for our daughter... in case you're curious.

1. joy·ful

  adjective

1. full of joy, as a person or one's heart; glad; delighted.

2. showing or expressing joy, as looks, actions, or speech.

3.causing or bringing joy, as an event, a sight, or news; delightful:

Joyfulness was one of the first things we talked about for our daughter. We want her to always be full of joy, with a happy and full heart because she knows she is loved by us and her heavenly Father. But more than that, we pray that she will be a joy to those around her; that others' hearts will be lifted simply by being in her presence.

God's word on joyfulness: 1 Thessalonians 5:16 "Be joyful always." and Psalm 5:11 "But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy."

2. mod·est

adjective

1. having or showing a moderate or humble estimate of one's merits, importance, etc.; free from vanity, egotism, boastfulness, or great pretensions.

2. free from ostentation or showy extravagance: a modest house.

3. having or showing regard for the decencies of behavior, speech, dress, etc.; decent: a modest neckline on a dress.

4. limited or moderate in amount, extent, etc.: a modest increase in salary.

Brent decided modesty was something he emphatically wanted on the list. As he began to explain why, this trait cemented itself in my heart as well. In a society in which flashy clothes, fast cars, and big houses are becoming the norm, we want our daughter to be content in her material possessions, no matter how few or little they may be. We hope that she would know the pleasure of simplicity, and not gravitate towards extravagance. We also pray that she is modest in her behavior: not only in the way she dresses but also in how she speaks and shares herself with those around her.

God's word on modesty: Proverbs 31:30 "Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."

3. com·pas·sion·ate

adjective

1. having or showing compassion: a compassionate person; a compassionate letter.

2. granted in an emergency: compassionate military leave granted to attend a funeral.

com·pas·sion- the noun

1. a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.

I have always admired and respected compassion in other people, so I knew this must be on the list for our daughter. When I was a counselor at church camp one summer, a guest speaker explained to the kids in very simple terms what compassion is-- he said it is when someone's heart hurts, that your heart hurts too. We are praying that our daughter would feel compassion for others when they are hurting, and seek to comfort them in their hurt and need.

God's word on compassion: Matthew 9:36, "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd."

4. hos·pi·ta·ble

adjective

1. receiving or treating guests or strangers warmly and generously: a hospitable family.

2. characterized by or betokening warmth and generosity toward guests or strangers: a hospitable smile.

3. favorably receptive or open (usually followed by to ): to be hospitable to new ideas; a climate hospitable to the raising of corn.

The gift of hospitality is something that has always been displayed to me very clearly by the women in my life: my mom, my grandmothers, and my aunts all carry this gift well. And so it has become a prayer that my daughter would learn to be a hospitable person as well. We pray not only that her home would eventually be a hospitable place to those she welcomes into it, but we also pray that she have a spirit of warmth and generosity that receives others well; that others will feel continually welcome in her presence.

God's word on hospitality: 1 Peter 4:9 "Show hospitality to one another without grumbling." and Hebrews 13:2 "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels."

*all photos courtesy of google images