ALEXANDER'S BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT

PAGE 8 OF ALLELUIA; WORDS OF PRAISE BY M. PODESTA

Who is not thrilled at the intimacy of Psalm 139?

Every human being was conceived in her mother's womb.  Even though you are a woman who has never borne a child, you yourself were formed within one.

If you have read my introduction of the book Alleluia; Words of Praise by Michael Podesta, who is a calligraphy artist,
this is another page from the same book.  The book is actually composed of his art words taken from the Scriptures.

Each entry in the book has a story behind it. 

This word art was created shortly after his first son was born.  Let me post here the authors own words while reflecting upon the miracle of Alexander's birth.

"Shortly after our first son was born, my wife and I decided that he should have a birth announcement.  I remember that the whole process of his entry into our lives-except for a few of the basic details-seemed to me essentially mysterious.  Books on prenatal development, consultations with the obstetrician, and even contact with friends and their young children did nothing to dispel an abiding sense of awe.  When these words from Psalm 139 came to mind, they gave me the idea for Alexander's birth announcement:"

"I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul I knoweth right well.  My substance was nor hid from thee when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.  Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.  How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God!  How great is the sum of them!...And when I awake, I am still with thee."

The blueprint of a child's life is awesomely depected in the above image.  Notice how the passage starts to flow from a point in the circle towards the umbilical cord of the fetus which is formed by every word of the chosen Psalm 139 verses.  The circle enclosing the fetus is the mother's womb. 

The womb is the "lowest part of the earth" spoken in V.15.  I could just relate this to the journey of a bulb buried in the ground, as to death, at winter time, just to sprout into the beautiful Calla Lily or Tulip at spring time.... " And when I awake, I am still with Thee" (V. 18).

I was excited to learn that there are certain details in the timing of the planting of bulbs during autumn ... "everyday of my life was recorded in your book" V.16.  I noted that it is important to check on the temperature of locations to be able to plant them in the best depth to be safe when the ground freezes and to have the correct sprout level ...:"when I was made in secret" V.15.   It is also a must to know the suitable month when to plant them, just the right timing for them to sprout in spring ...."How precious are your thoughts about me, O God V.17.

The fetus is formed in the mother's womb, while the bulb is formed in the earth, at the right time and right settings, conditions and elements.

Thank you, dear God, for the miracle of LIFE.  I am a miracle (You planted me).  The blossoming of flowers is a miracle.  Seasons is another and knowing You and your deeds, is more than a miracle.... it is Salvation.  I was buried with you (dead to sin) and You made me rise with You as a new creation.

Praises belong to you, Father, because I dwell in your thoughts!  All your creations exalt your name, the trees extend their branches up the heavens to magnify You,  the flowers in the field dance to your majesty! They are dressed in their best apparel before you, with their smiling faces lifted up upon You!

We, in one unison, declare your beauty, in one unending song of Praise, ALLELUIA!

This is the NLT version of the Scripture: (The clarity of the words used in this version, thrills me to the bones).

Psalm 139:14-18

New Living Translation (NLT)

PHOTO SOURCE

¹⁴ Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
    Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
¹⁵ You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
    as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
¹⁶ You saw me before I was born.
    Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
    before a single day had passed.

¹⁷ How precious are your thoughts about me,^[a] O God.
    They cannot be numbered!
¹⁸ I can’t even count them;
    they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up,
    you are still with me!

This is posted with my thanks to the  creator of the art word and the words, Mr. Michael Podesta.

Your beauty, Oh God, is reflected in the baby's smile and in the wonder of Who You are, in the Miracle of Life, the blossoming of the Tulip in Spring and in the metamorphosis of the Butterfly.