Sunday, August 16, 2009

the boys' verses


For Gabe:

For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. - Revelation 7:17

I chose this verse for Gabe, because the only way I make it through any day without him is imagining him in Heaven, before the throne of God. This verse helps me picture him there, but also gives me hope that when I finally arrive, all this pain and sadness will be over. And he'll wipe every tear away from my eyes... and Gabe and I will finally hang out together beside those living water streams with our Shepherd.


For Jonah

Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; You are mine. - Isaiah 43:1

I LOVE this verse for Jonah. His life is going to be so challenging, and I always want him to know and rest in the fact that God KNOWS him. Regardless of his physical pain and struggle, ultimately God has saved him. Jonah is HIS. My prayer for Jonah is that he can get through anything, knowing that the Father knows him by name. Fear not, Jonah. You belong to Jesus.

And another reason I love this verse - Matt sings this song to Jonah often, and I'm usually fighting back tears the whole time. Something about watching a father sing this song to his son gives it so much more power. Now that I'm a parent, these verses are so much more meaningful. I feel like, as much as I humanly can, I understand that kind of love. I feel it myself and see it in Matt's eyes for Jonah every day. It's a beautiful thing.

(I don't think you'll be able to hear this unless you have external speakers.)

36 comments:

RLR said...

Patrice - these verses are beautiful! I can't watch Matt singing right now - I know I'll get all teary 'cause I'm such a softy like that. But, how sweet that must be to watch him sing!
(My word verification is 'sisse' - do you think blogger is making a sassy comment on my being a softy?)

The Burgess Family said...

Very sweet and moving... I can see why you fight back tears!!

Mom x 3 said...

Those verses are wonderful!! Great choices!! :)

Kirsten: said...

Perfect choices for your sweet boys!

Anonymous said...

That's intense! A father's love is undeniable.

Gramma in Indy said...

I've never heard that song, but I love it! Thanks for sharing.

Nancy said...

I couldn't hear it but then tried my headphones & it worked! That is absolutely beautiful. We're still prayin' in PA!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful! The verses, the video...all of it!

Brittany said...

I love Isaiah 43! I struggle with anxiety and this verse is a wonderful way to remember not to worry- God has it all under control!
Beautiful verses for some handsome little guys!

lov said...

precious!

Anonymous said...

How Beautiful!!!

Thanks for sharing such an intimate moment...that was so special.

Jonah is so lucky to have such lovely parents. You and Matt are both younger than my husband and myself but that doesn't mean we can't learn from you...you teach me something everytime I read a post...thank you...
Wendee in Lewisville

Penny said...

That's precious! Reminds me of listening in when my husband used to pray with my youngest every night. I used to sing to Shelbi every night. It had to be 3 songs. The Barney song "We're a Happy Family," "Jesus Loves Me," (all 4 verses) and the country song "Don't Take the Girl." Weird combo, huh? =)

Anonymous said...

How beautiful! One of my favorite things is to sing to Maddie. Unfortunately, she doesn't take a bottle any more, but when I can get her to relax on my lap, and I sing to her, I feel like I am singing to an angel.
Sandy W.

kiki_bourque said...

the verses you chose are beautiful. Great job mama:)

Maythi said...

I LOVE that song. We used to sing it so much at STS and Intervarsity at Wake when I was a student there. It still makes me get chills and a huge lump in my throat. Can't imagine what watching my husband sing it to my child would do to me. I'd need a box of tissues. Both verses are beautiful and incredibly fitting.

Anonymous said...

Well now, I needed me a good cry. Thanks for the excuse! What sweet verses! I am so thankful that you chose those and that you shared them with us. Happy Mid-August! Jennifer in Southeast, NC

Laura A said...

I could just barely hear it, but watching it was sweet enough. It's so wonderful to see a father's love for his child! I know Matt's a great dad! Thanks so much for sharing!

Thanks for the Spanish lesson, too! We have a Chipotle that, coincidentally, is in the same shopping center as Target! I love their veggie burrito bowls!

Continuing to pray for sweet Jonah (glad he's eating better) and also for Matt's grandfather. Hope you all have a wonderful week!

Love from TX!
Laura

PS - excellent choice of verses!

Nikki said...

One of my favorite. songs. EVER. Love that you picked those specific verses! :)

Anonymous said...

Precious and perfect.

Your family continues to touch my heart. God bless you all.

Mel

Lorraine said...

precious post ... verses and video

Jennifer W. said...

I read every day, but don't comment as often as I should. The verses are absolutely beautiful. And I literally laid my head on my laptop so I could hear Matt singing to Jonah. Wow. I love how peaceful Jonah looks-what an awesome dad. Thanks for sharing this. Know that I pray for you and your family often.
Jen

Anonymous said...

Absolutely loved seeing the video of Matt singing to his baby boy! Seeing Jonah being peacefully sung to and rocked and fed while his beautiful eyes blinked away! Loved it! Thanks for sharing it with us!
We should never underestimate the value and benefit that singing Scripture and godly songs to our babies and children has on them! Those words will be hidden in Jonah's heart all his days! And it will minister to him always. So keep it up!
Great choices for the verses you chose for Gabe and Jonah!
I'm keeping you all in my prayers!
Luann in WA

Amber said...

A father and his son...
A beautiful site!

amber

Kelli said...

While are scripture is powerful, I don't think you could have chosen more appropriate verses for you sweet babies. Hearing Matt sing to Jonah is priceless and I'm so moved that Jonah has you two as his earthly parents!!!

Anonymous said...

I can't thank you enough for sharing.
prayers always,
love to all
2shoes

Unknown said...

I asked for Jonah to be put on our former Church's prayer list in Georgia. May God give your family and Jonah the strength you need for each day and may a cure be found quickly!! We go to Calvary Baptist Church now. Loving Christ, Jolene and Vic Jameson

Krystal said...

I love that Matt sings to his son, especially such an encouraging one. My hubby doesn't share his singing with us, and my kids usually ask me not to sing to them when I try. What's up with that? I can sing on key! Anywho... praying for all of you!

Good verses for your boys!

Anonymous said...

Hi Patrice,

I have to agree with the other comments...precious and perfect! Thanks so much for sharing your life and baby Jonah. Jonah is a constant in my daily prayers. Each day I visit thinking to myself that I have to check in on precious Jonah.

Love in Him,
Ashley from KY

Wanda Wilkinson said...

Thank you

Baby Bird said...

Dear sweet Patrice and Matt:
What a blessed little boy baby Jonut is to have such compassionate and loving parents who recognize that His hope and peace and security lay solely in His FATHER's Hands! Bless you all today and in the many days that will follow!
Be sure to call if you need any extra hands...I am still available from time to time...no babies today or tomorrow:)
Love, Aimee Pence

Heather said...

What beautiful, fitting verses.

Sandy said...

One of the very sweetest things I've ever heard. My my.

Verses for both boys are perfect.

Continuing to pray,
Sandy in King

Devon said...

Hi Patrice--nice to meet you! My name is Devon and my son Dakin has an extremely rare disorder called SMARD. I so know what you mean about being .5 in a million. Your boys are beautiful and I will be following!

Rachaellh said...

The two versus are so beautiful and so perfect for both boys. What a treasure!

nancy said...

ONE WORD ABOUT THE VIDEO......
PRICELESS:)

LOVE U GUYS
NANCY LEE:)

dragonflyz in June said...

Absolutely beautiful Patrice!! I absolutely love the the video at the end, I cried like a baby, so beautiful to see a daddy sing that to his son!!