LIfe Verse

We had Baby Bean baptised today. That's what we do in our denomination. I know that infant baptism can be controversial but it's what we do and a symbol of our faith that is very, very meaningful to us.

A few years ago, someone told us about a tradition of giving a child a "life verse", a kind of a blessing to a Christian child. The "life verse" can reflect our hopes/aspirations for our children, a kind of life motto for our child to strive for and, ideally, something that shapes who he or she is to become (something like a name that has special significance).

I feel badly. When Pk was baptised, I had long chosen her life verse - we named her something connected to the book of Philippians so we went with Philippians 4: 4 - 8 (more of a life passage but this was so good, I couldn't just stop with one verse).

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

I haven't chosen a life verse for Baby Bean, I just haven't had the time to really ponder and read. I would like something either from John or from James, I think, since his name is connected to both books. So far, the only one I was considering is James 3:17 :

¹⁷ But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. ¹⁸ Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

It doesn't feel quite right to me. One passage I stumbled across this week that means a lot to me is Isaiah 58: 6 - 8:

6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: 
to loose the chains of injustice 
 and untie the cords of the yoke, 
to set the oppressed free 
 and break every yoke? 
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry 
 and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— 
when you see the naked, to clothe them, 
 and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? 
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, 
 and your healing will quickly appear; 
then your righteousness^[a] will go before you, 
 and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.

I'd love advice or input. If you can think of a passage that might be good for my son, I'd love to hear it. I haven't found the right passage yet and I suspect it is right in front of my face and I am just not seeing it.

Thanks!