You...

I have been challenged several times about our claiming of Psalm 139 for our children. Once, someone in the media whom I was giving an interview to questioned what I meant by describing a child who is a congenital amputee as being "fearfully and wonderfully made." Once, I was told that God could not make something "imperfect."

Each time, I have continued to claim Psalm 139 for my children. I have searched Scripture and I do not believe God defines perfection as we humans do. I believe He is a creative God and He is not limited by what we define as "normal." I believe my children are made in His image - each bearing similarities to His character. I believe He purposefully created them and though I may not ever understand His methods or His reasoning, I am at peace with knowing I don't have to. He is the Creator and He does not make mistakes. We are all imperfect and live in imperfect bodies. Whether or not my children have hands, feet, or working muscles and joints or masses in their hearts does not mean they are less than wonderfully made. Nor, as has also been suggested, are my children less loved by their Creator because they have limb differences or muscle tone issues or masses in their organs. His love is not measured in the condition of the human body.

While thinking of some of these issues, I began to study exactly what the Bible says about my precious children. I wanted to know exactly what the Lord says about each of His creations. This is what I discovered.

My Sweet Will & Precious Ellie,

Do you know how completely I adore you both? I love to dream about you and what you may someday look like and who you will become.

God has reminded me today that I can know whose you are right now and who you are created to be.

I hurt knowing you will face such challenges in this life. I worry about how you will handle teasing or bullies. I wonder how you will respond when questioned about your differences. I believe you will be given extra measures of grace, humility, compassion, sensitivity, and even humor as you go through life.

Though the world may sometimes suggest differently, I want you to know, beyond any shadow of a doubt, exactly what your Creator, the Lord God, says about you. You are precious to Him, dear ones.

You belong to God. (1 Samuel 12:22 & Song of Solomon 7:10)

He delights in you. (Zep. 3:17)

(Guess what? So do I!)

He gives you a crown of beauty. (Is. 61:3)

He crowns you with splendor. (Is. 62:3)

You are accepted. (Romans 15:7)

He bears your pain. (Is. 53:4)

He will one day wipe away ever tear from your eyes. (Rev. 21:3-5)

When you are brokenhearted, He is close. (Ps. 34:18)

My love, He is enthralled with your beauty. (Psalm 45:11)

My princess, you are the daughter of the King and He crowns you with love & compassion. (Psalm 103:4)

He sees you as you are. (2 Cor. 3:16)

He is showing us great and marvelous things which we can not know. (Jer. 33:3)

He is near to you. (Psalm 34:8)

He quiets you with His love and rejoices over you with singing. (Zep. 3:17)

He will not forsake you. (Psalm 27:10)

He doesn't judge you by appearances. (John 7:24)

He knew you before you were conceived. (Jer. 1:4-5)

You are made in the image of God. (Gen. 1:27)

The very hairs on your head are numbered. (Matt. 10:29-31)

He chose you when He planned creation. (Eph. 1:11-12)

He knows you. (Jer. 1:5)

You are His treasured possession. (Ex. 19:5)

His plan for your future is hopeful. (Jer. 29:11)

You are God's workmanship. (Ephesians 2:10)

You can be glad with the joy of His presence. Psalm 21:6

He speaks tenderly to you. (Hos. 2:14)

You are chosen of God, holy, and dearly loved. (Col. 3:12)

He knit you together in my womb. You were not a mistake. Each of your days were written in His book before one of them came to being.

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139)

You are each perfect for our family.

We love you each exactly as you are.

We are forever thankful for both of you.