On Daughters, children, and Children of God

When we had our first daughter, I used to think that no ones hair could ever be as beautiful as her golden locks. So silky and soft and it shone so beautifully!

Our second daughter was born, and her hair grew into golden strawberry colored curls! Not more beautiful than her sisters of course! But each held their own beauty! And her laugh was simply the cutest ever.

With our third we knew we were expecting a boy. As he has grown we have found that his laugh is the most contagious laugh we have ever heard and his eyes are simply the bluest blue there is!

If we have a fourth I can only imagine who God has in mind for us!

With each baby I found myself mesmerized by the little person in my arms. Nursing them, clothing them, changing diapers, bath time, even when they fussed for no reason! I found myself in awe of the person I was asked to co-create and raise. Watching how they learned to crawl, seeing them walk, seeing how they solved problems. Every aspect of their little lives and little moments of joy or sadness was a joy to me to watch or a sorrow to me- felt so deeply because I'm their mother. They are half of me!

With our first, one day while she was sleeping on my lap I was stroking her delicate hair and wondering, "Is this how God feels about me? Is he always in awe of the person I've become? Has he experienced my joys and sorrows with me, like my mom and dad?" The answer was immediate. "Of course." Because He is our Creator. He is Our Father. Imagine, how much love we have for our children is a fraction of the love God has for us. With each of my babies, I am able to realize more and more how God must love us. He doesn't love one of us any more than He loves another of us. Love grows. It expands to fit everyone in the family, even our Human family! God truly loves us all! What we love about each person may change but the love is the same. How incredible it is to feel a fraction of the love God feels for us! What a precious gift we are given as parents and as children of God to know the hope that comes with that love.

God, Our Father, guide our hearts to you in all we do!