Welcome Gavin Lee Edwards, given by God to Jamie & Jonathan Edwards on May 21, 2012 at 12:25 am, 5 lbs. 11 oz., 19 inches! To his parents I say, “Congratulations” and echo Solomon’s wise words from Psalm 127,

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth!

The Edwards family is one of our most recent additions to the Calvary family; they joined on Mother’s Day. One week later they were making those memorable trips back and forth to the hospital. Finally Gavin thought it was okay to come out and meet his mom and dad (and grandma and grandpa, aunt, great grandma, great aunts and uncles, you get it!).

Gavin’s birth (every birth) reminds me of the gravity of parenthood. Being a parent is overloaded with joys. We have those “firsts” that are so exciting and emotional. What will be their first words? When will they take their first step? What will their first day of school be like? However, not all child raising is full of sunshine and posies. Dangerous potholes await every child. It is the solemn and sacred duty of Christian parents (like Jonathan and Jamie) to help navigate their children along the road. Children don’t raise themselves. God has sovereignly placed children in homes with parents to teach them about life, disciple them in the Bible, warn them about wrong choices, and applaud them on a job well done.

Parents, remember that every child is a gift from God. Every day we have them is another opportunity to lovingly parent them. Don’t waste even what would seem an insignificant event on a seemingly unimportant day. Every touch we make with our children is life changing, and there are only so many we have!

Grace & Peace,