Today is my youngest son’s 15th birthday. When Amy was 28 weeks pregnant with Brady, she went to the doctor for a routine checkup. Owen was 15 months old at the time, so we were well-versed in the routine of pregnancy checkups at this point. She called me an hour later to say that they were sending her to the hospital for a follow-up test. I met her at the hospital and we absorbed the news that Brady was going to arrive early – almost 3 months too early – and to protect him and carry him to full-term, Amy needed to begin bedrest. Immediately. Right now. Drive home, get in bed, and for the next 3 months only get out of bed to use the bathroom. My first hint that this wasn’t fully resonating with Amy was when she calmly explained to the doctor that we had dinner plans that night … but afterwards she would absolutely begin bedrest! The doctor politely informed Amy that dinner plans were out. We needed to head home so that Amy could begin to do … absolutely nothing for the next 90 days!

Amy is an extremely active person. She loves being around people, she loves exercise, she loves getting out of the house. Those 3 months were incredibly, unbelievably difficult. We joked often that I, the introvert of the family, would have loved 3 months of bedrest. Instead, the Lord asked Amy to trust in His plan and to submit to the painful reality of the sacrifices she needed to make for our son. And although it was difficult, Amy never wavered. Yes, God had asked an extroverted, active person to remain in bed – but He’d also bestowed upon

Amy an unwavering faith and trust in His plan that would see her through it. Amy has always known that the Lord’s plans are good, they are holy, and they are right.
Amy started bedrest on Friday, January 29th, 2010. Roughly 9 weeks later, Brady was born on Saturday, April 3rd, 2010, the day before Easter. He’d weighed less than 3 pounds when Amy went on bedrest, and he was born at a healthy 8+ pounds.

Jesus does not promise you a good life. He doesn’t promise that things will go well. I’ve read the Scriptures, and I see no evidence of a “prosperity” Gospel. What I do see evidence of, throughout God’s Word, is that He will provide hope in the midst of whatever happens to you. His plans are not your plans – and praise God for His plans, for they are where we can truly, fully prosper. Our futures are secure in the wisdom and mercy of the Lord. Amen.

P.S. – happy birthday, Brady!