Baby Love

Well, as I write these words, she’s not here yet. But my granddaughter was to be born two days ago.  July 11 is my son and daughter-in-law’s second anniversary, and if all goes as expected it will also be Mary Violet’s birthday.  I’m just a little bit amped up.

            And I’m as nervous as a cat in a dog pen.   I’ve never held a baby that is truly, “mine.”  I’ve held lots of babies at dedication services in church. But never one of my own. Let me explain. My two sons were both adopted. They were already walking when they came to our home.  My first granddaughter came as a package deal when my son married her mother.       

            Now, you need to know this. I love my sons and my granddaughter without condition.  They are all precious to me. 

            But by the time you read this, a tiny little girl will have been placed in my arms, and I’m just not sure how I’m going to react.  I don’t want to break her.  I am concerned that I may be shaking so much that I could drop her. And the tears I will shed may be so many that she could drown.  Maybe I should just stay away, huh? 

            Fat chance that happening.  This precious little girl already has me wrapped around her finger, and she’s not even here. My credit card is about to melt as her grandma buys frilly outfits that she could never buy for her sons.  I may have to take out a loan before it’s all over.

            And I will gladly do so, and then do more.  I love this little girl, and again, have not met her at the time of writing.  I can’t imagine having greater love than I do.

            And then I remember this. Paul wrote, “God showed His love to us in this way. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  As the song declares, “Oh, the love of Jesus.”  It is beyond our grandest imaginations! 

            There are all times when we feel unloved. Life is not going as we planned. We are hurting, and do not know where to turn. Let me remind you again. The greatest theological truth ever written is this.

            “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Yes, Jesus loves me.” I pray you will know that by experience.