April,
2001
"The
Miracle of Birth"
Spring! What
a great time of year! A time of refreshing and renewing. A season
of the fulfillment of hope and promise. The new life that we await
all winter long bursts forth into full bloom!
This spring
I am experiencing the miracle of new life bursting forth from
a whole new perspective. I have become a grandmother - yes, a
photo album toting, bragging, proud grandma! What fun to be able
to show-off our new little granddaughter. She is, of course, perfect!
I know that
my joy of meeting her for the first time will only be surpassed
by the pleasure I will have as I see the wonder and excitement
on her little face as she experiences all of the "firsts"
of life…the first time she recognizes her mommy across the
room; her first step; her first look at a sunset hand-painted
by God in the evening sky just for her; her first prayer; her
first praise to God, her "Abba" Daddy…oh I can
hardly wait!!!
Yes, what
a miracle! As I stood at the foot of my daughter's delivery bed,
watching and filming, I couldn't help but praise God! I was reminded
of the night time conversation Jesus had with a Pharisee named
Nicodemus. (John 3:1-21) Jesus declared that no one can see the
kingdom of God unless he is born again (from above). A very bewildered
Nicodemus asked how a man can be born again - for he cannot enter
into his mother's womb a second time. I thought to myself, "How
true. It is a hard enough struggle and event to be born out of
a womb for the first time." (For both mother and child.)
Jesus answered
him by saying that a person must not only be born of the flesh
into this world but must be born of the Spirit of God into the
eternal kingdom of God.
Yes, it is
an even greater mystery and miracle to be born anew into the everlasting
realm of the Spirit of God - for the flesh will die - but the
spirit will live forever.
What must
we do? Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and receive the life of
the Spirit of God.
Just as my
little granddaughter, Cassandra Joy, came into the world a new
creation, so will we all become new creations in the spirit as
we receive Christ - the old will be gone and we will be new. (2
Corinthians 5:170
It is now
the task of Cassandra's mommy and daddy and of all of her family
- grandmas, grandpas, great grandparents, aunts and uncles to
make sure she is nurtured, protected and cared for physically,
emotionally and intellectually. But the greatest responsibility
is to present God to her in such a way that she comes to know
and love Him with all her heart.
I'm thinking
back to the delivery room now - of the doctor and nurse who were
there to help my daughter birth Cassandra Joy into this world;
of the care and attention given to the baby by the pediatric nurse
immediately upon her arrival - checking heart rate, color, size,
breathing - to give her the best possible entrance into her new
life. It was a beautiful thing to watch the ease and skill with
which they cared for my daughter and her baby.
Let me ask
you some eternal questions. Have you been born again of the Spirit
of God? Or are you still wondering in the darkness of night, as
did Nicodemus, about this kingdom of God - not quite sure what
it really means to be "born again." Please go to the
"Contact Me" form and let me know your questions. Perhaps
I can lead you to a place of desire and understanding so that
you, too, can experience becoming a new creation - receiving new
life.
Now, let me
ask those of you who are assured of your salvation, your new life
as a child of God…Have you helped to give birth to any others?
Do you study the word of God and have you practiced your skills,
as did the hospital birthing staff, so that you may assist God's
Spirit in some way? Are you living a life of holiness and testimony
so that others may see Jesus through you? God loves us so much
that He has chosen us - He wants to fill you with His love so
that you can pour that love out upon those He has placed in your
life. Are you willing to serve on His heavenly birthing staff?
Just say, "Yes."
By the way,
did I show you the pictures of my new grandbaby, Cassandra Joy?…She's
perfect, you know!…
L.O.V.E.,
"Grandma" Patty
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