Release Date: September 2008
Number of Tracks: 1
Original Song written by Kris Rhoades

Our first granddaughter should have been such an exciting time but instead, three months into the pregnancy, she was diagnosed with a rare chromosome disorder called “Triploidy”. Most babies with this disorder don’t live past the first trimester.

We wondered why God would create a baby with this situation. The doctors recommended abortion. But her mom and dad said, “no” for God created this life for a reason. So many “perfect” babies are aborted by parents that don’t want them and here was a couple that wanted a baby, even one with imperfections.

At that point her parents named her Zoe because in Greek, zoe=life. And we started to pray life into that little baby.

I pondered about how God creates all “life” just to praise Him — even the life that won’t live very long. And this song was born from those thoughts. Though Zoe did not live to term but was birthed at 8 months we still know that her “life was made to praise Him!”

It wasn’t until after her death that the last verse came to me when I thought about how even after we die our life still goes on to praise Him in Heaven.

$1 of every CD sold will be donated to The Midwife Center, Pittsburgh, PA, who took care of Zoe and family.

It happened just after midnight . . . two young servants of God waiting expectantly for the blessed event – the birth of their first child. It’s an event that is so anxiously anticipated – it takes nine whole months to complete. That night, a few shepherds came to see them. One of the stray sheep stayed around to see what all the fuss was about. A few “wise men” were waiting not too far away. The angels were praising God in the highest. There weren’t any fireworks; there wasn’t any big band parade…just a quiet stillness in the air.

One night a baby came into this world to change people’s lives, to give them hope, to give them more faith. This scenario surely describes the night Jesus was born, but it’s not the night I’m referring to. I’m talking about the night Zoe Rhoades was born.

Mom and Dad saw the midwife that day and she could not hear a heartbeat so the process began to accelerate the natural birth progression. A few pastor friends stopped by to pray. Mom clutched a small stuffed lamb for comfort. Wise Grandparents passed the time in the waiting room. Angel-friends all over the world were praying.

The doctors never expected Zoe to survive. They never believed she would be born. But many people prayed that God would intervene and would bring life to this small child.

Zoe was diagnosed prenatally with Triploidy, a rare chromosome disorder. The doctors said she probably would not live past the first trimester and recommended abortion. At that point her father and mother, Lance and Amanda Rhoades, named her Zoe for in Greek, zoe means life. Friends and family began to pray “life” into her even before her birth. A website was created to inform people of her status and updates. Visitors posted prayers there as well.

Though Zoe did not live to term but was birthed at 8 months we all know that God created her life for a reason, and her life was made to praise Him!

From the moment Zoe was created she was destined to change people’s lives. She would never breathe a breath or cry that baby’s first cry. She would never learn to walk or talk. She wouldn’t fall in love, go to the prom, or get married. As insignificant as that seems, she was a very significant part of many people’s daily life. Because of you, Zoe, many people have come to a closer relationship with God, praying harder, praying more regularly, gaining in their faith and hope. As one person said on the website, “Already in your young life you have taught me to love more deeply and to cherish everything God has blessed me with. Beautiful little one I pray for you daily!”

Zoe, you were created by Almighty God and your destiny was set. Your life was made to praise God. And we are all praising Him, for Father has taken you into His arms. Your life will go on in eternity. Though you are gone from our presence your life will continue to touch people’s lives. We will never forget you.

To those who prayed for Baby Zoe, the whole family appreciates all your prayers, phone calls, cards, and support throughout these past few months. But the work is not over yet.

Those of you who prayed that God’s will would be done, your prayer was answered. God knows best what we have and need and knows beyond what we can endure. His perfect will is best for us and we need to remember that.

Those of you, who like me, prayed up the very last moment that God would perform some kind of miracle in that Zoe would be born alive, or even better yet, would raise from the dead, also had prayers answered. Zoe will live eternally in the arms of our Heavenly Father. God did raise her from the dead to be with Him.

This has never been about whether you prayed the right way or not, whether you prayed hard enough or not, whether you did something wrong or not, whether… you fill in the blank. Let’s keep our focus in the right direction. Don’t give the enemy satisfaction when you start to doubt.

This HAS been a test in trust and faith. Do we trust that God is in control? Do we believe that God’s will be done? Do we have faith to believe that God knows what we can and cannot handle and He will do what’s best for us?

Lance and Mandi passed the test. In the midst of the whole situation they were true pillars of faith and trust. They know that God is in control. They are ready to move on and know that Zoe is with God.

Now as to where the work isn’t finished yet . . . let’s continue to hold up Lance and Mandi in starting their new church. Keep them in your prayers for their next child (and we believe there will be one). Also keep in your prayers the millions of unwanted babies that are aborted before they even have a chance. Let’s also remember to pray for the many babies that are born with birth defects. And don’t forget their caretakers.

Remember that Zoe was created to give glory to the Father. All life is made to praise Him. Let’s remember to give Him the glory . . . in all things.

From beginning of time when Creation began
Praising the Father was all in the plan
So Life was made to praise You.
Adam and Eve in their Garden of Love
Were made to praise God in Heaven above
And Life was made to praise You.
Oh Life was made to praise You.

From the critters that live in the forest and glen
To the words that come from my paper and pen
To the flowers that bloom again and again
Oh Life was made to praise You.

God does not worry and God does not fret
Life’s circumstances are not always set
And Life was made to praise You.
When problems come and they certainly will
Always remember to keep praising still
Cause Life was made to praise You.
Oh Life was made to praise You.

In the middle of troubles And sorrow and woe
When it feels like I just don’t Have someplace to go
I’ll remember a time when You made it so
My Life was made to praise You.

When time has ended and Life is no more
Look toward heaven and see what’s in store
Cause Life goes on to praise You
You made a way for Life to go on
I’ll never wonder when my Life is gone
Cause Life goes on to praise You
Oh Life goes on to praise You.

From the small tiny seed that Grows to a tree
And the vision that came From my heart as a dream
To the baby that’s growing Inside of me
Oh Life was made to praise You.
Yes, Life was made to praise You.
Oh Life was made to praise You.

UPDATE:
Lance and Mandi planted a church in Oakland, Pittsburgh, PA ministering to the college students in the area. More information can be found on their website: www.reachingoakland.com. In September 2008 they delivered a healthy baby girl, Selah Grace Rhoades.

Have you heard this song yet? Will you leave your comments or thoughts below?