What is it about babies? This week, Heidi and I welcomed our 7th grandchild to our tribe. When you hold that little one, something happens to you! I remember after having our first child when we found out we were having #2, I wondered if I would be able to love them like I did the first one. Would there be enough love to share with him? Little did I know my heart would expand with each of my 5 kids. Now, down the road, we welcome this new little girl and I find my heart full once again.
It got me thinking about what Jesus said in Matthew, about coming as a little child. I think as adults, if we could take a trip back in time, we could undo some things and reacquaint with the way things should be.
I wrote down a couple of things we could learn from a baby. First of all, a baby only knows love. Our new grandbaby doesn’t know that there are people different from her. Last week my son posted a picture of my grandson with someone else who looks different than him. My heart soared as I saw the picture of these two young boys loving on each other without a hint of prejudice. Hate and prejudice are something that is taught. You don’t come out of the womb hating. For children, it’s taught through the words they hear and the environment they grow up. We can take a cue from these two boys to love each other regardless of our differences.
Secondly, a child never worries about their needs being met. Piper cries, and Mom feeds her. She doesn’t have anxiety over where her next meal will come from. She trusts. She believes that if she cries enough, her mom or dad will change her smelly diaper. What about us? How many times do we worry and fret over things that may not even happen? Or perhaps things that God is already working out, but not in our time frame. I’m guilty of that one! Come as a child. Trust. Hope. Believe. Rest.
Thirdly, a child trusts! They believe their Dad can do anything. When I swam with my kids when they were little I would encourage them to jump into the pool into my waiting arms. They never thought once that Dad wouldn’t catch them. I remember their older brother trying to do the same. Guess what? They didn’t trust him so they didn’t jump. (Probably a valid concern! LOL) Is our faith childlike? Do we recognize that we serve the Creator? The One who formed the universe. The one who breathed life into Adam and Eve. If He created us, He can certainly take care of us. Our job is simply to trust. Not to try to figure things out.
I’m reminded today of the baby that was born over 2,000 years ago that changed the world. He was sent to bring peace and salvation to a broken world. His purpose was to come alongside us when our world was made chaotic by sin, worry, fear, and anxiety. Emmanual God with us! He still can speak peace. He still can give hope. He is still trustworthy even when we make a mess. Why not jump into His strong arms today? Come to Him as a child. Don’t miss the reason for this incredible Christmas season. I leave you today with the lyrics of one of my favorite songs written about Christmas. This is a reminder that you were included in the plan from the beginning. You are the reason.
We were the reason that He gave His life
We were the reason that He suffered and died
To a world that was lost, He gave all He could give
To show us the reason to live
Babies change everything. Life will never be the same. When we lean into the baby who arrived in a humble manger, He will change everything!
