Look Who's Three - Linda Phelps

Today we rejoice and praise the Lord.

"But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice. Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him. A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation."
(Psalm 68:3-5)

Charles Richard Phelps IV (Chase)

Like all three year olds, Chase has been looking forward to today for a long time.  I guess your third birthday is the first one that you anticipate.  His family and friends are doing their best to make it a special day.   But we are mindful that the Lord has a special place in His heart for the fatherless and we rejoice.

The day Chase was born was filled with excitement and fear and thankfulness.  Courtney was admitted to the hospital the night before, and family and friends were awaiting a phone call.  In the early morning hours we were awakened by a call from Chad.  I remember the fear I heard in his voice as he said, “Mom, they took Courtney away and I don’t know where she is. Please come. They are doing an emergency c-section.”  On the way to the hospital Chad called again to say that it was an emergency, but he would be able to go into the operating room.  

We arrived at the hospital along with Courtney’s parents.  We waited with “new-grandparent” excitement.  Chad finally came out in a pair of scrubs.  He was a very happy and exhausted dad.  Chad sobbed when he saw all of us.  How we rejoiced in a safe, healthy baby and mom.

Though Chase had his wonderful parents on earth for only twenty-one short months, I don’t think any child could have been more loved by his daddy and mommy.  Today Chase carries the sweet stamp of his mother’s tender care, and he looks so much like his daddy that when Chase sees childhood pictures of Chad he thinks they are of himself. 

His family will celebrate today in many ways. Last week he had a birthday party with Courtney’s parents at Chucky Cheese. That afternoon he came back happy and exhausted. Today he will wake up and burst through his streamer-covered door. Uncle Caleb will take him to Dunkin Donuts for breakfast. He will FaceTime the Gaddys (Courtney’s parents).  He will have an early lunch and quick nap. Then we will go to the zoo and Chick-Fil-A for supper.  We will top off our menu with an ice cream cake that he has helped make and decorate. And, of course, he will open gifts from his grandparents, uncles, and aunts. The day ends with a bath, devotions and a tired three-year-old. Tomorrow he goes to his new, big-boy Sunday School class.

Most of all we rejoice that God, a father of the fatherless, is in his holy habitation watching over Chase. Today we give Chase gifts that will fade, break, and turn to dust; but his heavenly father has provide a gift for Chase that lasts for eternity.  Dear praying friend, won’t you pray for Chase today.  Pray that Chase would come to know Christ at and early age and that he would “esteem the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of this world.” 

Today we are rejoicing and praising the father of the Fatherless.

Written by Linda Phelps, Grandmother of Chase