The Beautiful Promises of God

I napped two hours yesterday. I only nap when I am sick. All you 'type A' personalities understand. But I'm not sick. However, I was warned that radiation can cause fatigue. Especially in the last two weeks. I am entering the last two weeks of my six weeks of radiation therapy. I am not so tired that I cannot function, but clearly, there is some fatigue. Just look at the photo.

Now, it could be I am tired of being in  pain with every deep breath I take from my broken rib. Or it could be that I am worried about all the moms who chose life over abortion that I work with. Two of them are in crisis, and there is little I can do but pray. I have been exploring options on how to help them and it is not easy.

Fortunately, there are also moms I work with that are doing well. One of them asked me if I could be with her when her baby is born. I told her if I was in town, I would be thrilled to be there for her. I have never seen a live birth. I didn't really see my three kids get born. I was there, of course, but so involved in the mechanics of bringing them safely into the world that I didn't observe any of it. It will be exciting to be on the other side of the birth experience. Less painful too.

That same mom told me she has been sharing on Facebook how she almost aborted. She said it made her feel a little ashamed at first, but then, she realized that she was influencing others to make a life-affirming choice. She knew this was one of the missions she and her baby were being called upon to do for God.

She's also the one who asked me to come up with a middle name for her child. She loved the name I initially suggested, but a family member had been hurt by someone with that name, so the mom asked if I could come up with another.

I thought of what the baby means to the mom. The mama wants her baby's first name to be Bella...which means beautiful. I suggested Gracia, Spanish for 'grace', as the middle name though my heart really wanted Promessa. That is Spanish for Promise, so the name would mean 'beautiful promise.' That is what the baby represents in my eyes -- the beautiful promises of God of redemption and eternal life when we follow Him. However, I figured Promessa was probably too strange.

The mama didn't like 'Gracia'. She had actually already considered it and rejected it.
"Well, I have one other idea," I said, "What about Promessa? I know it is a little unusual..."
"Beautiful promise! I love it!!!!" the mama said, "Bella Promessa! Yes!"
She understood instantly why it was such a perfect name for her baby.

Re-energized, I headed out for a walk, thinking of all the beautiful promises of God.
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2 Peter 1:4 

By which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

2 Corinthians 1:20

For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.

Titus 1:2

In hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began