It's a...

Just a few short days ago, a humble child was born into the world.  The light shone brightly in those beautiful eyes, as they darted back and forth in observation-- a smile ever appeared to tug at those tiny lips.  The small hands, each finger so perfectly formed in it's miniature fashion, opened and closed-- testing their inherent powers.  The feet, pink and wrinkly they be, yet so soft and tender, kicked at the air, as if to declare, "I'm alive!"  New life in all purity, tenderness, and hope.  My newest little brother was born.

To my parents was gifted their tenth child on March 23, 2013.
It's a boy!

You may be wondering what his name is, for such was the question buzzing around our house for the past couple of days.  It has been made official, but before I just blurt it out, I'd like to set the stage a bit.




For each one of their children, my parents have specially and prayerfully chosen names that would reflect back on the lessons that the Lord was teaching them at that season of their lives.  A name that we could carry with us to eternity, that would hopefully one day be written in the Lamb's Book of Life, a name that would carry a meaning that we could hold to and forever embrace the attributes in our lives.

We wanted a name that this baby would carry throughout his life; from babyhood to boyhood ultimately to manhood.  A name that would inspire him, encourage him, and ever remind him of his family's faith in the Lord Jesus, and the lessons that He has taught us.

The theme that the Lord has been impressing on the heart of my family has been the theme of humility.  

Humility comes before honor; surrender before victory.

 "If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him."

~John 13:14-17

If you read over the posts from this past year on this little blog, you will see the resounding theme of God's glory through my humility, His victory in my weakness.  

 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

~2 Corinthians 12:9

I wrote a blog post for about an experience and an insight that I received at the Lamplighter Guild back in July.  For some reason I was looking at it the other day, right after we decided on the name for the baby...

Here is a portion that I believe truly seems to capture the essence and spirit behind our choice of this baby boy's precious name:

"...Mary gave Jesus her all. She trusted Him that He was the Son of God and that she could sacrifice that whole year’s worth of wages while pouring out all of that fragrance oil- and she wouldn’t have to worry about being taken care of. She knelt down at his feet- in all humility. She used her greatest womanly asset, her crown of glory- to wipe them. The Bible says that the fragrance of the nard 'filled the house'.

'But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.' ~2 Corinthians 2:14 (emphasis added)

God manifests His sweet aroma through us-when we give Him our all and we are willing to be His servants. Mr. Hamby had some pure nard that he brought with him from Israel. He had it poured into a little dish that we might all be able to experience the 'aroma' that filled the house. He told us to wash our hands quickly after we did this because if we did not we wouldn’t be able to sleep that night- why? Because the aroma just gets stronger and stronger.

I was so encouraged that when we are willing to put everything on the line for God-when we are ready to deny ourselves, take up our crosses and follow Jesus, that He WILL lead us in triumph in Him and give us that sweet aroma that will “fill the house”- drawing others to us yearning to partake in it! The beauty of it is that when that sweet aroma is manifested in us the fragrance just gets stronger and stronger as our relationship with Him grows and matures…"

...and so, my dear readers, my precious little brother's name?

The name that I pray with all of my heart will one day be written in the Lamb's Book of Life?

Paul Michael Victor

 The names Paul and Michael indicate humility.  Paul means "small or humble man", and Michael means "Who is like God?" and also is a derivative of Micah, the minor prophet in which this beautiful and freeing verse is found:

"He has told you, O man, what is good;

And what does the Lord require of you

But to do justice, to love kindness,

And to walk humbly with your God?"

~Micah 6:8 (emphasis added)

Victor means victory-- which is only found under humility and total surrender in Christ Jesus.

My sweet baby brother,
I love you-- every single one of your nine other siblings love you dearly.  We cannot wait to watch you grow; to hear your first laugh, to see your first smile, to help you take your first step-- to hear you learn to read, to watch you graduate, to be there on that wedding day when you sweep the girl of your dreams off her feet...  and at last, when we will all bow at the foot of the throne of God for all eternity crying, "Holy, Holy, Holy..."  My life has changed.  I can't think of living one more day without you-- I'm so grateful that the Lord has gifted you to our family.

Welcome to our world, Paul Michael Victor.  May your name ever remind you of the victory that is found in a life surrendered to the Lord Jesus, in all humility serving Him.

I love you, sweet boy.

Your big sister,
Amy

(Enjoy the photos!)

Peter (2) loves his little brother!

My beautiful momma... she's so awesome.  Such an inspiration to me...

Be blessed and encouraged, my dear readers, as you remember the victory found in the life of humble servitude under Christ!