This darlingpreciousangelpumpkin of ours has been on the outside for over nine months now. And I love the thought that that now means he’s been on the outside longer than he was on the inside. Seems like some kind of special milestone.

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And in these nine months, he’s taught us a thing or two that I wouldn’t expect to learn from someone who hasn’t even spent more time on the outside than he has on the inside.

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The wisdom of the world might tell you that when you’re about to make a big old move — like a transcontinental one that will involve staying in lots of different places, including living out of suitcases in two places for a couple of months each — that’s not the time to be bringing a baby into the big old mess.

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Like Jesus’ arrival when Mary was away from her people, travelling with Joseph in Bethlehem for the census — it might not seem like the best opportunity to bring a new life into the midst of everything.

Mildly inconvenient.

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But just as the word says Jesus came at the right time — when the days were completed and Mary was supposed to deliver,

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God has shown us that hand of His on this life He’s given — it has been marked from the beginning by His Perfect Timing.

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For us that perfect timing has shown its face in a baby that arrived nine minutes after we arrived at the hospital, in a smile or a giggle or a sweet baby sigh, showing up in the middle of a heartache or a frustration or a challenging season that is marked by trying to figure out getting our family of four and maybe some stuff from Point A to Point B with those points being some 8,000 miles apart.

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Those giggles, those grins, those eyes that flash and sparkle have spoken to that place in our hearts that needs reminding: all we ever really ought to be is thankful.

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And oh this gifted life we’re living. And Oh, the Great Giver.

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How the simple joys of two little boys have marked for us the path — they line it with sweet-smelling flowers, they grace it with breathtaking views.  

And what would’ve seemed foolishness if we’d planned it on a calendar, marked it out on a life map, seems wisdom indeed.

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With open hands we hold the gifts that remind us just how good the Giver is.

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These nine months, this new life – the ups and downs – thankful. It’s all by grace.

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P.S. Stick around, or drop back by! The next Whole Foods Holiday post is coming up this afternoon, and there will be a linky, so if you have a Whole Foods (or healthy recipe) post already up on the net somewhere else you can link to it right here!