HUMAN LIFE IS PRECIOUS TO GOD AT EVERY STAGE.

Bible Reading of the Day: Read Psalm 139:13-16.

Verse of the Day: “Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—and how well I know it” (Psalm 139:14).

Eric’s mother placed his hand on her large, round belly. She held it there. They stood silent and still. After a few moments, Mom and Eric jumped slightly at the same time. “There!” Mom said. “Did you feel that?”

Eric stared at his mom’s belly with wide eyes. When he spoke, it was in a whisper. “There’s a baby in there,” he said, lisping slightly.

Mom smiled broadly. She patted the couch cushion beside her, and Eric climbed onto the couch and snuggled up close to his mother.

“That baby is your little brother or sister,” Mom explained. “Before long, you’ll be able to hold the baby in your arms and help Mommy take care of him … or her.”

“Is the baby sleeping now?” Eric asked.

Mom cocked her head to the side. “I don’t know. He sleeps and wakes up just like you do. But I don’t know if he’s asleep or awake right now. God does, though.”

Eric placed his hand softly on his mom’s belly and rubbed it. “Does God know the baby’s name?”

Mom stretched her arm around her first child. “Yes,” she answered. “God’s known your little brother or sister for the last eight months now, since even before his or her tiny heart started beating.” She patted her belly. “God knew eight months ago whether you would have a brother or sister. He knew what color hair and eyes the baby would have, and whether he would be tall or short.”

“Did God know me when I was in your belly?” Eric asked.

Mom sighed. She knew Eric could ask question after question. “Yes, he did. He knew you before you were born and took care of you and helped you to grow the whole time you were inside Mommy’s belly.”

“God loves me, doesn’t he, Mommy?” Eric asked.

Mom’s eyes filled with tears. “Yes,” she answered. “He has always loved you. You were precious to him even before Mommy knew God had formed you in her belly.”

Eric still rubbed his mom’s belly. Her answer seemed to satisfy all his questions, and he and Mom sat side by side on the couch, silent, while the baby who had heard the murmur of their voices fell asleep inside her mother’s womb.

TO DO: Take turns reading Psalm 139:13-16 to each other, substituting God and he for pronouns referring to God, and you or a name for pronouns referring to the person. For example: “God made all the delicate, inner parts of your body and knit you together in your mother’s womb,” or “God made all the delicate inner parts of Ramona’s body.” Discuss how you felt as you heard those words applied to you.

TO PRAY: “Lord, help us remember that our lives have been precious to you since the moment we were formed.”