God Named Him

When my boyfriend at the time and I were preparing to get married, he mentioned a couple of times he didn’t want to have any children. He loved my daughter, but one child was plenty for him. So as we got closer to the wedding date, we abstained from sleeping together, and I was very careful to take my birth control every day, at the same time each day. I knew my boyfriend was serious about not having more children.

Two months after the wedding I discovered I was pregnant…and I cried. Instantly I thought, Well, that’s the end of this relationship! Although I only had a little morning sickness for a short time, I had heart sickness. I became depressed for the first trimester, convinced that my new husband would not stick around with a child on the way. Still, I knew my getting pregnant was not the baby’s fault. So I prayed. God helped lift me out of my depression, and motivated me to take care of myself so the new one coming could grow healthy and strong.

One night as we were discussing names, my husband mentioned Jeremiah. I felt like a light bulb went on in my head! I got excited and said, That’s it! I think that’s his name! Since we didn’t know for sure whether the baby was a boy or a girl, we called the little one Junior, but the name Jeremiah burned in my heart as if God wanted to make sure I didn’t forget it.

Jeremiah was born on December 29, 2011. He was a healthy baby, and instantly we loved him, even his dad! From the very beginning our little baby loved cuddles, and was very active, always wanting to discover new things. My husband enjoyed taking pictures of our son with his first pumpkin, almost as big as he was, and taking him for his first ride on the lawn tractor!

About one year later my husband and I were attending a church service out of town. The pastor was preaching on the verse Jeremiah 29:11. I must’ve been tired because I didn’t get it right away. Then, I felt like God gently shook me awake. I heard:

You know, I did that on purpose. It wasn’t an accident. Jeremiah was born on the 29th, in ’11. You did not plan for him, but I planned him as a gift to you.

I got so excited I couldn’t sit still in my seat! I whispered what happened to my husband, and he smiled and nodded. I prayed, God I didn’t know you could do that! I mean, you’re God, so of course you can do that, but I didn’t know you WOULD do that!

Jeremiah truly has been a blessing. Both my children are wonderful blessings, and I love them dearly! I am always amazed, though, at the new and creative ways my heavenly Father communicates with me. The best part, though, is I’m not special. I’m not unique. God doesn’t communicate with me because I am holier than anyone else. He loves all of us immensely, and would love to visit with any of us who will give him the time of day. I haven’t once regretted it!

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11