This week a much-anticipated event came to fruition. My daughter gave birth to a sweet little man. His arrival happened a little sooner than expected, but he came in God’s perfect plan and timing. The sweetness of tiny hands and feet, silky smooth skin, perfect little nose, tiny sighs, and squinty eyes peeking at his new world are just the beginning of years of wonder as he learns and grows, and we love and nurture this precious gift of life.
The birth of my grandson sent me spiraling back to an October morning almost 31 years ago when my daughter, his mother, was born. It takes some mental adjustment to realize my October baby is now the mother of another October baby. Sweet memories swirl like falling leaves as I think about those days following my daughter’s birth. She was a long-awaited gift and continues to be a precious treasure to me and all who know and love her.
The birth of a child is one of the most special events in life. Friends and family visit and bring gifts and celebrate. It is a time of great rejoicing and anticipation of what the future holds.
Perhaps you could use an infusion of newness in your life. Maybe you need a reason to rejoice, celebrate, and anticipate. Here are some things to remember about new life:
New life holds promise – When I look into the little face of my grandson, I see promise. Although I can’t predict what his future holds, I know he is surrounded by parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents, and others, who love him and want the best for him. When life’s biggest challenges come, he will have a network of support and encouragement, those who spur him on to reach his full potential.
We all need support and encouragement to keep moving ahead, maintaining forward motion to fulfill the plan and purpose for our lives. If you’ve let the busyness of life overtake you, and cut yourself off from a support system, make it a priority to re-establish connection with a group who loves and cares about you.
New life draws people together – Most hospitals have rules about the number of people who can visit and how long visiting hours last. I’m sure we violated all those rules yesterday! We filled the waiting room, crowded into the hospital room, and stayed beyond the go-home hours, but we were a group of people with a purpose, determined to see the object of our focus.
In a world that is currently so divisive, wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could lay aside our differences and agendas and come together for a common purpose? Wouldn’t it be amazing to see love lead instead of hatred?
New life reminds us of our heritage – The human body is amazing. Its functions are so complex that researchers are still trying to discover all its intricacies. When I look at my little grandson, I see the miracle of God’s handiwork. I see the imprint of genes passed from one generation to the next in his nose, mouth, chin, hands, feet, even the shape of his hairline. How anyone could claim there is no God when they look at a tiny new life is beyond my understanding.
Heritage is important. While some may not know or appreciate their ancestors, the connection can’t be erased. Although many try, the connection to our Creator can’t be erased either. God is the source of life and the sustainer of life. If you’re trying to do life without your Father, you’re denying yourself access to your greatest resource and advocate. He is the one who made you and knows you best. Trust Him.
“You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.” Psalm 139:13-14 NLT