When coming up with a plan for Hudson's nursery I knew that I wanted to incorporate Scripture into his room. But which one? That was the question.
James and I scoured hundreds of Scripture references looking for just the right one. We didn't want the stereotypical "baby room" verses - though there's nothing wrong with them at all - we just wanted something that would grow with him. We also didn't want the stereotypical "promise" verses because so many of those are specific promises to specific people at a specific time and though they hold truths for us today, in context they aren't always as pretty as they seem. For example Jeremiah 29:11 is a wonderful verse, but upon closer inspection one understands that God made this promise of a "good future" as he was sending them into exile - exile people! Basically we just wanted something that summarized our hope for Hudson.
What is our hope for him? That he will be a follower of Jesus.
Romans 15:13 was our final choice. It says, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflower with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
The book of Romans is one of my favorites. I love the context - that it's written to a "mixed" church of both Jew and Gentile believers. I love the author, Paul and his rich theology and how he presents Christ in this letter to the church at Rome. Click here for a nice little outline/mini exposition of this epistle.
Ultimately Romans 15:13 is our prayer for Hudson. First, that he will trust in him (Jesus). Being a follower of Jesus is not genetic. Just because James and I follow Christ, doesn't mean that Hudson will. Yes, we will bring him up to know Christ as best we can but ultimately he will only come to salvation by the irresistable call of Christ and we pray daily that Christ will call him to follow him. Second, the reward of trusting Christ is everlasting joy and peace. Regardless of what Hudson grows up to be, whether he is healthy, sickly, smart, not-so-smart, strong, weak, whatever - we pray that he finds everlasting joy and peace through the power of the Holy Spirit in his life.
So that's the why but, how did we do it? I'm not that good of a painter or stenciler to even attempt something like this free-hand. The amazing local stationery store I have worked for the past three summers sells this product called "Stuck On U" that are basically adhesive vinyl letters customized to your saying, initals, whatever that you'd like to affix to whatever area. It's super easy to do:
First, I lined up the wording to try and get the spacing figured out.
Second and by far the hardest part, was setting up the silly laser level. That thing is not my friend.
Third, peel the letters and transfer paper off the backing.
Fourth, line the word up on the nify laser level line.
Lastly, press the letters then peel off the transfer paper and viola - you have a word stuck to your wall.
Now this is the commandment - the statutes and the rules -
that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you ....
Hear O Israel, the Lord your God, the Lord is One.
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart
and with all your soul and with all your might.
And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.
You shall teach them diligently to your children,
and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way,
and when you lie down, and when you rise.
You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.
You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
--Deuteronomy 6:1, 4-9 ESV
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