What's In a Name?

Before I share with you Asher's latest "adventure", I want to start with the very beginning of Asher's Story.....

When Matt and I started out family we were going to name our children Biblical names. Then we found out we were having a girl and we just couldn't agree on a name. So... we decided we would pick a name based on the meaning, and ask the Lord to reveal a verse(s) that coincided with that meaning. Well... Asher is a biblical name but the verses the Lord gave us have nothing to do with the meaning of his name. (If you are wondering Riley means "courageous" and her verse is Deut. 31:6) At first, I kind of struggled with the verses God revealed to us because I didn't understand why God choose these particular verses. Little did I know the chain of events that were about to occur....

When I got pregnant I was not aware of all the FMLA regulations. Anyway... I was going to be cutting it short to meet the guidelines in order to take an approved leave of absence when Asher was born. I was scared I was going to not have a job after maternity leave and I was scared I wasn't going to be paid or have benefits while I was off of work. Needless to say, one day as I was worrying over these things. I began to search God's Word for comfort. He gave me these verses - Jer. 17:7-8 (Please read these verses before you read on).

At 31 weeks I began contracting and bleeding while at work. Soon after that I went on bedrest until Asher was considered "full-term". At 34 weeks Asher began dropping off the growth chart. We were going in for weekly checks to make sure he was okay. Every week we would pray that God would allow Asher to stay in utero for "just one more week". I was so worried. I began letting my medical knowledge overtake my "God knowledge". My faith was weak at times. Every time my faith weakened these verses were brought to the forefront of my mind.

If you are struggling with trusting the Lord in a situation, I hope that these verses bring you hope and comfort. God is faithful even when we are not. Praise HIM!!!!

I do still have a job, I did get paid and kept my benefits, and Asher was born "full-term" with minimal problems. God provided even when I felt like my faith was slipping. He will do the same for you. We've got to learn to TRUST!!!