July 1997
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On May 28th, God blessed our home with the addition of our daughter Marissa. Her arrival has not only brought changes to the Montgomery household, but has also given Karen and I a new opportunity to dwell on the spiritual truths that God is teaching us through her.
The first truth is the absolute wonder and majesty of our Creator. The Psalmist wrote: "I will praise Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). There is perhaps no event that so clearly drives home this fact as childbirth. Each time I look at Marissa, or any of our children for that matter, I marvel at how God is able to form a human being with each tiny, intricate part exactly where it is supposed to be.
I am then struck by the love of God. A baby is small and helpless, and requires the constant attention of her parents. It is this type of love that the Bible states that God has. Again, the Psalmist has written: "As a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them
that fear Him" (Psalm 103:13). To God, I am sure that we seem every bit as helpless and frail as an infant appears to us. We require His nourishment, His warmth, His carrying, and His constant attention. Even the best parent has become frustrated by the continual needs of a child. But our Heavenly Father never complains. He loves continually and completely.
I see the love and protection of God illustrated even in the birth of our daughter. As many of you know, the cord was wrapped around Marissa's neck, and immediate delivery was necessary. Yet God knew all about that too. He had prepared us for that; He allowed the technology to be developed that would reveal a baby in distress in the womb to the doctor; and He allowed her to be born with no apparent problems. God did not have to do that for us. He was not obligated to give us any child at all, much less a healthy one. But in His mercy and grace He has seen fit to bless us in this way.
One last thought was with me as I held our baby for those first few moments. This child has a soul which will spend eternity somewhere. This child has been given for the purpose of glorifying God and serving Him. The responsibility to prepare this child belongs to Karen and I. I must be the proper type of husband, father, pastor, and Christian, not just for my own standing before God, but because I have been entrusted with Marissa's spiritual well-being also. I pray that the Lord will help us to raise her for Him. He has done much for us. How can-we do
any less for Him?
Your Pastor,
Mark J. Montgomery
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