The Fourth Day Of Advent

When I started this post before daybreak this morning, it was a much different post.  I wrote about dear friends of ours, Pastor Chad Herndon and his wife Sara, who welcomed a beautiful baby boy to their family yesterday.  I wrote about a resilient baby Silas who had overcome some struggles along the way before joining an expectant and grateful family, along with a whole lot of new friends. 

But driving home from Maryland this evening, I learned that baby Silas has had some complications today and will need heart surgery.   

When Chad posted the first picture of their beautiful baby on Facebook yesterday, the "likes" and comments began flooding in.  By the end of the day, over 300 people had joined in a technological celebration of the latest addition to the Herndon family.  I just looked, and tonight there are an equal number of people who are commenting with prayers for Silas and his parents and big sisters.

Most everyone I've ever met love babies.  We're drawn to them.  Whether we are celebrating their triumphant arrivals into the world, or joining together in prayer for them, there is something about babies that stirs us.  Nothing matches the joy of holding a baby and staring into their new and curious eyes.  Feeling them grip our pointed finger.  I've always been awed by the fact that when God created us, he oriented us with this indescribable affection for babies.  And then, when he sent our savior, he sent Him as a newborn baby in a manger.  What a glorious plan.  

Please join me tonight in prayer for baby Silas and his parents.  We know all too well how hard this is on Chad and Sara.  It was Christmas Eve nearly 7 years ago when we brought Elliott home from a week in the NICU after his rough entrance into the world.  He's been a champ ever since.  One look at Silas tells me he has a little bit of that champ in him as well.  God bless you buddy.