There’s a wedding this week – and inbetween the sciatica recovery, I’ve been baking cupcakes, flourless chocolate tortes, almond crusted mini-cupcakes for the rehearsal dinner. As the pain has receded, I’ve been able to savor the memories and, in the remembering, thank God for His faithfulness, his powerful love that saves, redeems, and rebuilds the broken places.

My 4th son is my rainbow baby who was held by the hand of God the day he was born. He’s the only one born with my green eyes. At three, he was in an argument with The Biggest One of Them All who was a sophomore in high school. He shut that argument down by telling his brother, “In the Name of the Lord, Christian, shut your mouth!” At age five, he was evangelizing his little brother. He’s fiercely loyal, passionately logical, and he loves big tenderly and gently. He doesn’t give up, even when he doesn’t understand the whys. His story, like each of my sons’ stories, had added to the reasons why I believe.

As I’ve had the opportunity to tell his miracle story this week, to think about it, I find myself in a puddle of tears. Maybe it’s because of the lack of sleep, the wearing down of the pain, or maybe it because, even today, almost 24 years later, I am still overwhelmed with where his story started. This week I will give him to a sweet girl I’ve prayed for since before she was born. I’ve prayed that God would protect her, that when challenges came, only things of God would come out of it and only the things of God remain within her, that God would bring blessing to her day. . . and that she would have a heart for our family. . . and she does. I cherish this giving of my son and this welcoming of this daughter into our family. I am excited for the launching of a love story to last a life time.

When my first son married in 2009, I wrote this letter, this prayer for my son’s wife, our first daughter through marriage. I gave the same letter to my second son’s wife in 2015. It’s 2022, and I get to give it away to another daughter a son is bringing me.

To the Wife of my son, daughter of our family,

Today you become officially the #1 woman in in my son’s  life.  I wouldn’t want it any other way.  Just as your father gives you to my son today, so I give my son to you, with a glad heart and much love.

For years, I prayed that God would protect and bless the girls my boys would marry.  Since before you were born, I’ve prayed for you. I’ve prayed that God would protect you, that when challenges came, only things of God would come out of it and remain within you, that God would bring blessing to your day. . . and that you would have a heart for our family, it’s strengths and weaknesses included. . . and you do.

When God blesses, He blesses abundantly.  I prayed for a good husband.  He sent me the best. I prayed for children.  He gave me 5 sons. I prayed for my sons to be healed at various times.  They are healthy and whole. I remember Cam praying in high school that He would be a starter in the high school varsity soccer games. He ended up earning Second-Team All-District, being the 3rd highest scorer on the team, and Most-Improved – and he inspired people because when he got knocked down physically and figuratively, he got right back him, fighting/playing/working harder. No, he didn’t what he asked for. God gave him something more valuable than a starting position. He gave him an opportunity to impact those around him in a positive way because of his never-give-up spirit. God is faithful to His promises. We see that in you. He brought you, the abundant answer to prayer. I am so glad you’ve come!

Samuel’s father, Elkanah, provides the prototype for what I consider a most wonderful husband!  It is from his relationship with Hannah that I pray my hope and faith for your marriage.

In the mighty name of Jesus I pray that my son will be the Elkanah to your Hannah.

I pray that my son favors you above all others, giving you double portions, seeking out why you cry, why you will not eat, why you are down-hearted—that he sees your genuine heart, kindness, and heart’s desires—through the hills and valleys of your life.

I pray that you value each other as Elkanah valued Hannah.  He wanted to mean more to her than 10 sons.  Sons defined the value of a woman during that time.  If she couldn’t produce sons, she had no value, no esteem in the community.  What the world says is valuable is not what is important.  Elkanah valued Hannah’s heart, her companionship, who she is—not her position in the community, her job, or where she comes from.  He values what’s on the inside.

I pray that each of you pour your soul out to the Lord, praying and sharing God’s word in your life with each other, that your house be full of children who bring you much joy, that your children return there to find comfort, rest and spiritual refreshment, as Samuel did as he grew up to follow God’s plan for his life.

I pray that you put God above all the desires of your heart because then you will be blessed beyond measure.

We are so glad you’ve come!