Welcome to Our Family, Little Adalynn Joy!

Over the weekend, we received a sweet gift! I hope you’ll join us in welcoming our newest addition—another precious little arrow.

When we are preparing for a little one’s arrival to our church family, I begin praying about a Scripture verse for that child—a specific verse or passage that I can pray for them as they grow. When our church hosts a shower for the mama, I share the Scripture and pray over her and the baby. But this time, the mama already had the Scripture verse for her little one, and this little one is not only in our church family, but she’s our fifth grandchild!

We welcome to the world little Adalynn Joy! Our newest little “arrow” that God is preparing for His great purposes.

Adalynn’s Scripture passage and some of what we are praying for her:

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.

[box]Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate. (Psalm 127:3–5)[/box]

Four Qualities of This Little “Arrow”:

1) You are a Gift from the Lord

God planned you and knit you in your momma’s womb (Ps 139:13–16). He orchestrated your conception and gave you life. You are a gift that God is entrusting to your parent’s care for a season of nurturing and training as faithful stewards. Knowing you are His gift to us, brings us to praise and worship of our great God. What a kind Father to send such a precious grace-gift!

2) You Will be Prepared for Use

Just as the arrow’s preparation, in the hands of the warrior, requires forethought, intentionality, and planning, your preparation to “fly” will require that as well. You will need to be straightened, sharpened, and put to the test, before actually being released into flight (1 Thess. 5:15–24; Heb. 5:14). We pray for your parents to receive encouragement, insight, wisdom, and help from the Spirit, His Word, and godly mentors. We pray that the testing God sends into your life is a refining process that results in greater glory for Him and that we will have wisdom in how to come alongside you in during those times of testing when training and truth-speaking are imperative.

3) You are Created to Fulfill God’s Purpose

Your purpose is to be used as a weapon in spiritual battle, to glorify God! You are designed to fly and hit the target God intends for you, and as you walk in obedience to Him, He will be glorified through your life (Ephesians 2:10, 6:12; Psalm 18:29, 57:9–11)! Whatever He has in your future—marriage or singleness, serving as a missionary, a mom, or as a congresswoman, we pray that He will prepare you to step out with courage, boldness, and faith in that calling. We pray that you will apply yourself to growth in education, being diligent in your work ethic, using your God-given creativity, and always seeking to learn what He has for you. Praying you have many grand adventures in your pursuit of God and His mission for you!

4) You Bring a Reward

Adalynn, your life is to be a means of blessing and reward, not bringing shame to your parents, but bringing the JOY and satisfaction of knowing that you are fulfilling your purpose and living out the truths they’ve entrusted to you (Psalm 1:2–3, 144:12; Matthew 5:16). We pray you will be a truth-speaker for your generation and impact your sphere of influence for God’s kingdom. Never letting up or backing down when it comes to standing for truth and righteousness, being an influencer and a servant. May your life bless others and inspire them to live for Christ!

Will you join me in thanking the Father for this gift? I pray she will be a truth-speaker to her generation and an arrow in the hands of our glorious God!

What prayers are you lifting up for your little ones?