“Out of the mouths of babes and infants
you have founded a bulwark because of your foes
to silence the enemy and the avenger.”

Psalm 8:2

It is difficult to watch a movie with young children. Friday night is movie night in our house. This last week we watched Candleshoe (a good little movie that I had never seen before). It took us about two hours to work through the hour and a half film. There were a number of times I was reliant on my wife, who had seen the movie years ago, to explain what was happening. No, the plot was not convoluted or too complex for me to grasp. But it is difficult to hear or pay attention to key lines of dialogue when your four year old daughter is in a constant state of inquisitiveness: “Is it nighttime there?” “Why are they going on a walk?” “Is that a dress?” “Why is she wearing a dress?” “Why are they running?” “Are they going to go in that building?”

Meanwhile, Samuel (the baby) is in constant need of attention. If you think you have placed an item out of his reach, think again! Between getting glimpses of the movie and answering questions, I work to redirect Sam’s attention. I would think he would have a short attention span, but if he wants something (the popcorn bowl or a can of pop, for example), it will hold his attention until it is out of sight – which means eat the popcorn as fast as you can and get it out of the room!

Such is another evening in the Sinift household. Exhausting? Yes. Frustrating? At times. A blessing? Of course!

As I think back on the 2023 year, undoubtedly the key highlight of the year was the birth of our second child. Samuel was born in the wee hours of the morning on March 3rd.

There is a joy in the moments and hours after the birth of a child that is incomparable to anything else I have experienced in life. A newborn baby is so small, weak, and vulnerable – and yet has the strength and power to transform your life in ways nothing else can. It is a miracle. The birth of every child is a miracle. The doctrine of the incarnation and the Christmas story come alive in the event of childbirth. You hold that baby and are reminded: this is how God came into this world. God entered God’s creation not through a lightning strike, not through a wind, not through an earthquake – but in the pangs of childbirth and the weakness of infancy. In the little cries and coos of a baby, we hear the voice and power of God.

But this miracle is so quickly forgotten. Soon that awe and delight fade as the sleepless hours increase. Changing the first few diapers is a joy! Then it becomes a routine. Then it becomes a chore. If I am honest, for me it soon becomes a “distraction” from other things that I would rather do.

Having a child is a miracle and a blessing. But make no mistake, it is a challenge. Having two children is even more so. Simple tasks like having a meal, cleaning the kitchen, reading a book, or watching a movie become increasingly difficult. Yet I am learning to see the grace of God in these difficulties.

But this grace begins with judgment. In my two children, the wrath of God is revealed against me. Through Elliana and Samuel God confronts me with the reality of my selfishness. I am a stubborn, selfish human being. I want to do what I want to do. I want to have control over my day and my time. I want to be the master of my own life. God has placed these two children in front of me and through their cries and tantrums says, “No.” No, I am not the master of my life. No, I am not in control. No, I am not God. Out of the mouths of my two children, God is combatting the sin of selfishness that is rooted deep in my soul. 

This judgment of God is grace. This judgment of God is the means of the Spirit’s sanctifying work in my life. 

As much as I hope to teach these two children to know the Lord, they have already been teaching me. They have been leading me further into God’s Kingdom. As the prophet says, “A little child shall lead them.” There is still so much further to go in this long obedience in the same direction. But thanks be to God, I am blessed with wonderful traveling companions.