Sweet little Tyler is one week old today and what a week it’s been! I am constantly thanking the Lord for this precious life He has entrusted to us as I get to know this new little person. At first I was completely unsure how things would be. At the hospital it was noisy, nurses and hospital staff checked on us constantly it seemed, and I was having all the discomforts following delivery. I wondered what it would be like when we came home and quite honestly, this has been one of the most fun weeks of my life.

This week, Tyler has had many visitors, a doctor’s appointment, a bath at home, paid a visit to Target, and watched a lot of Olympics. He started out and continues to eat very well. His sleeping is on and off during the day–I’ve been taking the advice of many moms to nap when he naps. Bobby or I are only up with him about three to four times a night so sleep has not been a problem for us, in fact it seems that’s all we are doing these days! There are one to two times a day when Tyler is very alert and Bobby and I love just watching him watching us. He has such great facial expressions.

It has been good for us to have to learn things on our own. I know that traditionally my mom might have come up for a couple of weeks to help out. But with Tyler being our first baby there is nothing I’m trying to juggle with caring for him. Its interesting trying to figure out how to comfort him, get him to sleep, and I’m still working on a burping technique… It’s nice to know my mom is just a phone call away, and that so many other people are willing to help us in any way that they can. Our friends are eager to see him and bring us anything we need. Many of the high school parents have been so generous to us by bringing hot meals to our door almost every night this week! Bobby and I have been so blessed!

It is so good to see how the Lord uses every time in our lives to grow us in Him. Even with something as small as a change in our sleeping/eating routines–I am challenged to seek Him. When I’m feeding Tyler I can easily spend time in prayer and even reading. Bobby has gotten to take some days off from work and we enjoy talking about what the Lord is doing in us and this new time in our lives. I was so encouraged by a sweet blog entry Bobby wrote about being a dad where he wrote about a funny moment the other day when Tyler wet all over his shirt. It isn’t hard to see the Lord working in and through all things. With Him in charge, I sure am looking forward to the weeks to come!

Yesterday I spent some time reading Psalm 48. I’ve been reading through this book, and this was simply the next chapter, but I thought it was funny how it has a verse that refers to the “pangs” of childbirth. This Psalm is a dramatic chorus of praise, giving glory to God in His city, Zion. What I really like about it is the tone of personal testimony. It records some dynamic historical events in which God’s power was seen. It speaks of meditating on the lovingkindness of God in light of His great works toward us. According to all God has done the praise of His name should ring out in all the earth. He is all goodness and perfection.

In his reflection on God’s hand in his life, the Psalmist has such high praise of Him. It made me think that if we have a right view of God, a right view of self will follow, not the reverse. If I were to consider my life without a right view of God I would focus much more on where I have been disappointed, gypped somehow, broken dreams or unfulfilled desires. When my perspective is on me, all I can see is what I want. But if I consider God and my life in view of Him all I can see are the blessings, the opportunities to grow, and the flood of God’s grace into my life. When my perspective is on God, all I can see is His goodness. Somehow my desires and preoccupations with self fall away and I can see more clearly that He is this great God the Psalms praise.

I really like how Psalm 48 ends, with instruction for the people to consider God’s works so they may “tell it to the generation following.” (v.13) The life of a believer is a living testimony of God’s great work. We never seem to have a problem talking about ourselves, but it is so important to always speak of the great things God has done and is doing. We shouldn’t be shy about sharing with others of God’s work in us. We should speak His praise to everyone we talk to, especially the next generation.

Shortly after the baby was born the nurse handed him to Bobby and I smiled when I heard him telling little Tyler, “You are born a sinner, sweet baby, you already need Jesus. He is good to us, and He can save you too…” The nurse must have thought Bobby was crazy! He might not understand a word we’re saying, but we both want to tell him all about our great God. One of the high school students, Evan was over for a little while last night and we were talking about how so many parents tell their kids about Santa Claus, the tooth fairy and the Easter bunny…when none of it is true! Bobby and I just want to tell Tyler about is the Lord; He’s the only thing that’s true.

I’m so happy to share that we welcomed the new little member of our family into the world, Tyler Christian Blakey. He was born Friday at 9:40pm, weighing 7lbs. 12oz. and measured 18 3/4 in. long. Praise the Lord, He is worthy to be praised!

Yesterday was my due date. I’m glad babies don’t have a little expiration date on them–best if born by February 15. Or like a bill I forgot to pay that had big red letters–PAST DUE! I’ve really been enjoying the last couple of weeks, though. I have so much time to read, listen to Grace to You broadcasts, nap on and off throughout the day, talk to friends and family and wait…

I have been so touched by the encouragement of others as we wait. This week we received a package in the mail from someone (a friend of Bobby’s family) that I didn’t even know! Inside was a little blanket and a card to us. Last week we got a similar box from one of our friend’s parents. It had little washcloths, some pajamas along with a very sweet card and even a check instructing us to buy diapers with the money! Last night one of the high school moms gave us a brown bag that had a nice frozen dinner and all kinds of things to go with it. I’ve been getting calls from people, “Just want you to know I’m praying for you…” Isn’t it wonderful how the Lord gives us encouragement at just the right times? I’m sure everyone can testify to His goodness like that.

I was really encouraged and convicted by my friend Sarah’s blog today. I caught up on her entry from Tuesday where she shared this quote from her devotional and some thoughts she had on it.