The Lord's message to you is, "I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my spokesperson to the world." Jeremiah 1:5 NLT

The illustration that corresponds with this verse, cannot be more perfect! Heidi captured the moment before conception so beautifully; suspended in a sea of blue…there is a serenity and anticipation as one seed approaches the other. And to think, at this moment, before this new life has even been initiated; God knows him or her.

This might appear strange, but I had a brief moment of a sense of "knowing" my first born son. Months before I had even become pregnant with him, I was talking with a friend about her one year old son, Joshua. During that conversation, I thought about how Joshua in the Bible had Caleb as his companion. And it hit me…I was going to have a "Caleb" and he would be a mountain-taker. Somehow, in that instant, I met my child before he was even conceived.

The Bible tells us a great deal about Caleb in the books of Numbers and Joshua, but the one part of his life that stood out to me was when he was 85 years old, he decided to claim the land promised to him by God. It was a mountain inhabited by giant men, but Caleb didn't care. "Give me this mountain", he told Joshua.

I am not saying God revealed every detail about my son's life. In fact, I know from experience, interesting surprises come when we assume too much about these urgings from God (see week 19 for example). But it is good to ask God for a window into our children's lives, to give us direction and peace as we parent them.

Our Caleb is almost 10 now, and living up to his name sake. In fact from infancy, he has an extremely high energy level, a propensity to climb everything and is very head strong about his desires. I thank God for giving me a "knowing" of him so that I can direct these God-given traits in a positive way that will help him to fully become the man God intends him to be.

Heavenly Father, what proof of how much You love us! You knew us before we were in our mother's womb. Cause me to know my children the way You know them. Give me an understanding of the plans and callings You have for their lives and to be a part of Your shaping and molding them into that person.