Excerpt from THRIVE AND SURVIVE, ZERO TO FIVE

God considers children one of life’s most valuable blessings. In the Bible, He often rewarded a woman by way of sending a newborn. It’s as if the best gift He could think of was arranging for women to raise, nurture, and love a child. Although the job can completely deplete us, He sees that as our opportunity to call for extra blessing, which He then joyfully delivers.

The next time you’re up during the night feeding a hungry newborn, resist the urge to make a mental list of complaints. Instead list what you find to be precious about him and thank the One who created him with those things, mentioning each one. Or study your baby’s face in the dim glow of a night-light and thank God for each of her features.

Softly hum a worship song or hymn as you rock your little one, reciting the words inside your head. Pray rich blessings over your baby, telling God what your hopes and dreams are for him. Name spiritual blessings you hope he will experience. Quote Scripture over him as you snuggle together.

Turn those 3:00 a.m. feedings into something special, and you might even begin to value what you gain during these unique moments together. And please remember that as you hold your child, the Lord is holding you, looking at you through eyes of fervent love. As you cradle your child, He is cradling you . . . “in his everlasting arms” (Deuteronomy 33:27).

SIDEBAR: VERSES TO PRAY OVER YOUR CHILDREN

• Psalm 119:72—to love God’s Word
• Proverbs 10:9—to walk in integrity
• Proverbs 14:23—to work hard
• Psalm 107:1—to be thankful
• James 4:7—to resist the devil
• Proverbs 1:10—to choose friends wisely
• 1 John 1:9—to confess sin
• 2 Timothy 1:7—to have self-discipline
• Colossians 2:8—to believe only truth
• Psalm 3:5—to sleep well
• 1 John 5:13—to be eternally secure
• 1 Corinthians 10:13—to escape temptation