Precious Life - Atlas Elizabeth {dallas, tx nicu newborn photographer}

Every person has a skill.

Some people are good at cooking and some people are good at sports. Some people excel in writing and then there are a blessed few that can make sense out of mathematics.

Usually when we think of someone being skillful at something we think of how efficient or creative they are. How easily, uniquely, or excellently they can accomplish a task.

Someone that can skillfully cook is a delight to have around and we find that their meals are much more pleasant and enjoyable than, let's say, a cheap T.V. dinner. Someone who can skillfully work math problems is a wonder and true talented individual (at least in my non-mathematical mind.) But let's consider another kind of skillfulness.

"For You formed my inward parts;

         You covered me in my mother’s womb.

 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
         Marvelous are Your works,
         And that my soul knows very well.
 My frame was not hidden from You,
         When I was made in secret,
         And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
         And in Your book they all were written,
         The days fashioned for me,
         When as yet there were none of them."

| Psalm 139:13-16 |

God is skillful at lots of things. One area in which He is uniquely and infinitely more skillful than any other person in the universe is the in the area of creation. He can form something from nothing. And He doesn't just perform this haphazardly...it is premeditated, thought out, and performed skillfully.

Last week I had the pleasure of seeing the skillful work of His hands in the form of my baby cousin: Atlas Elizabeth. She weighed 2 lb. 12 oz. at the time of her birth. Most would say she came way too early. Her lungs are not completely finished causing her to have  to wear a mask to breathe, her digestive system is unstable making it necessary to have a feeding tube down her throat, she is significantly under weight compared to a full-term baby which makes every ounce she gains and loses critical, and her immune system is extremely fragile which prevents her parents from getting to hold her freely. Yet, as I went to the little room with my Uncle Kenneth for my 20 minutes of visitation with her all I saw was

Skill.

A Beautiful creation of the Almighty God that He had appointed to be born in His perfect time.

Despite her 2 lb. 12 oz. status on the scale, at 15 inches long she still displays "tall characteristics" from her Mama. For instance, check out her long little fingers...

And great big feet ;)

It never ceases to amaze me how people change so quickly once they have a baby. As if Kenneth and Mary didn't smile enough when they found out they were pregnant. When we went to the hospital to see them, they were practically beaming. Parenthood is naturally heart-warming. :)

By the way...as if God's glory wasn't displayed enough just by the fact that little Atlas is surviving after being born at just 31 weeks gestation, listen to this. Did you know that the earliest a baby can be born and still survive is somewhere around 24 weeks? Did you know at that time the mother's milk is richer in certain nutrients and enzymes  than at any other time during the pregnancy and postnatal life of the baby? Did you know that after that apprx. 24 week mark the mother's milk changes constantly and is absolutely perfect for what the baby needs at that particular gestation.

God has created us efficiently and with purpose!

And that's something worth smiling about. :D

So in the next few weeks, I would ask that you would all pray for little Atlas to grow and get stronger and continue to be healthy. God has already answered so many prayers and worked exceedingly abundantly more than we could ever ask or think.

And don't forget to keep her sweet parents (Mary and Kenneth) in your prayers as well. :)

~Through Christ's Love ♥