Meet Jack!
He’s here! Our little rainbow babe arrived safe and sound on April 29, 2021. After one whole week together, both Jack and I are doing pretty well. We’re navigating breast feeding and getting in lots of snuggles—he doesn’t like being put down very much. And Big Brother is starting to get used to the idea that Jack lives with us.
What’s in a Name?
I wanted to share a little about his name: John Henry Newman Wright.
Yep, it’s long. I hadn’t planned on—or agreed to—including Newman in his name, but as my husband gleefully reports, “The father has the privilege of filling out the paperwork.”
So, it’s a long name, but a strong name. And I guess it’ll always give him something to talk about.
John Henry Newman is a Catholic saint who was a theologian, scholar, and poet. And while I don’t know him all too well yet, what I have read of his writings has really inspired and encouraged me, especially over this past, rather challenging year.
One quote in particular has helped me remain hopeful in a time of uncertainty. Perhaps it will encourage you, too:
“God has created me to do Him some definite service. He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. I have my mission. I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next. I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons.
He has not created me for naught. I shall do good; I shall do His work. I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place, while not intending it if I do but keep His commandments.
Therefore, I will trust Him, whatever I am, I can never be thrown away. If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him, in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him. If I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him. He does nothing in vain. He knows what He is about. He may take away my friends. He may throw me among strangers. He may make me feel desolate, make my spirits sink, hide my future from me. Still, He knows what He is about.”
I can’t possibly know what this year will bring, or how adding a new person to our family will change things, but I can be confident that God knows what He’s doing—He knows what He is about.
And I can be a part of His Good work through my daily life. When I endure all the postpartum aches and pains, wake up for bleary-eyed nursing sessions, and do what I can to maintain a creative practice, I can serve Him.
Thank you for your support and prayers as we prepared to meet him. <3
