Daisy Jane Dill // May 28, 2015 at 8:40am

Enjoying God’s gifts is serious business (Ecclesiastes 5:19-20). Unfortunately, it doesn’t come easily to the those who struggle with sin. We know how to covet God’s gifts. We know how to worship God’s gifts. But it is much more difficult for us to enjoy God’s gifts as they’re so designed.

Here at the Pilgrim’s Friend, my hope is to encourage all Christian Pilgrims on the heavenly travels. This isn’t our home, but a road. We are not natives to this fallen world, but through the work of Jesus we have been made into foreigners from a glorious country. In Christ, this is our new identity. Pilgrim is a glorious title, but it thrusts us on a difficult journey. I write to strengthen my fellow travelers.

Today, I want to help by writing out my wife and I’s enjoyment of our new baby girl, Daisy. In an effort to intentionally enjoy our daughter as a gift from God, honor Him as the generous Giver, and help to call Pilgrims to enjoy God’s mercies along the way, here are our simple reflections about our baby girl on her one month birthday.

From Mommy

Multitasking Mommy

Dear Daisy,

You are officially ONE month old! I have had such a fun time being your momma and have learned a TON.

This past month I had to get over my disdain for the color pink because you look so darn cute in it.

I never thought I’d be okay with someone else’s throw up on me and not shower immediately, or that day.

I never knew I could laugh or smile from being woken up at three in the morning.

I am learning what it means to be “flexible”.

Three consecutive hours of sleep is something to be excited about.

You have an appetite like your mother- when you need to eat, you need to eat or bad things will happen.

One can never take too many newborn pictures. You’ll thank me later.

From Daddy

She Loves Hearing the Old Hymns.

Dear Daisy Jane,

You have been with us (outside of mommy, at least) for one month now and you have changed everything for mommy and I in the best of ways.

I never thought a crying baby would be such a sweet sound at 2am.

You have turned me into the emotional equivalent of a high school girl and I love it.

I am overwhelmed to see my features in your little face. How good of God to let me partake in His joy of seeing someone made in my likeness.

Few things make me sadder than to see tears in your eyes. Few things make me happier than to see them turn into smiles.

Your mom was worried about how she’d bond with you, but you have annihilated that worry. I have never seen her so riveted as she is with you. Her’s is a fierce love.

I didn’t think you’d be a girl, but I am so over-the-moon that you are. Girls are the best.

From Two Pilgrims

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for the gift of Daisy Jane. Thank you for her health, her personality, her traits, and her soul. Thank you for entrusting her to our care and for letting us experience your goodness at another level.

As we enjoy her and all that she brings to our lives, we are compelled to look to you and worship. You are the Giver of all good gifts, including, of course, sweet Daisy. From you is everything and therefore, for me and my family, to you will be everything.

We pray you delight in our delight of Daisy; that our joy in her would bring joy to you. Shine your face upon her and make her pathways straight, her legs strengthened to walk them, and her wisdom increased to keep on them. May she grow to know you, love you, trust you, and walk with you as her Father through Jesus Christ our Lord.

From the Gifts to the Giver

May God help us all to not covet His gifts, worship His gifts, or take His gifts for granted. Instead, may we all learn to enjoy them deeply while we hold them loosely and allow them to turn our eyes to the One from whom they came. And above all this, may God help us to see and savor the greatest gift He has ever given: His Son given on the cross for our sins and risen from the dead for our life. This is indeed the greatest gift a Pilgrim has.

Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. ¹⁹ Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God. ²⁰ For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart. Ecclesiastes 5:18-20