"And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Ephesians 5:2 ESV
by Amy
This past Monday evening I was on a plane reflecting the past few days I had just spent with family in Arizona. We went for a very sweet and special reason. Almost a month earlier my brother and sister-in-law had their third child. It was a beautiful time spent bonding with everyone, especially my first nephew, Benjamin, and my niece, Hannah. It was wonderful seeing my sister-in-law and brother (whom I had not seen in a very long time).
It is always hard when family lives a great distance away from you. Sure, technology today provides wonderful opportunities to see one another up close - all the while being hundreds of miles away. Still, FaceTime and Skype are not the same as getting a big bear hug from the sweetest eight-year-old or sitting next to the most adorable six-year-old girl at dinner. I will have those special moments forever.
During our visit something else happened I was not expecting: I fell in love. You heard it here. Yes, I fell in love with a little baby boy named Joshua. Sure, I was expecting it, but not quite as fast as it happened. Within the first minute of holding him I was hooked. I literally saw flashes of him as an older child telling me his wishes for Christmas and me simply saying, "Here you go, buddy. Just take Aunt Amy's credit card. Go wild."
Maybe it won't be like that in reality but let's just say he had me at his first coo.
Another unexpected feeling I got while there was the overwhelming sense of protection. I found myself thinking of his every need. Was he comfortable? Was he full? Was he still hungry? Was his diaper dry? Was he content? Were his arms in a comfortable position or should I move him? Was he cold? Was he hot? Was he okay with the noise or should I tell everyone to be quiet? The list goes on and on. My sister-in-law, this being her third child, was not the least bit concerned with half of the questions going on in my head. She already had so much figured out with this one. Though I didn't say much, I was going crazy on the inside. Yet, watching his mama do her thing made me relax.
Every time I would hold Joshua I would take the time to pray. At some point I would allow a couple of minutes to speak Jesus over him. In those short few days the love and care I had for him grew more and went deeper than I expected. I would do anything for this little one. Anything.
Coming up on Easter I am wondering something: if I am ready to give anything for my nephew, how much more is God willing to do for him? We all have probably heard at some point that while our parents and family love us greatly, God loves us so much more. Sometimes it isn't until you hold a child in your arms or have a similar tangible experience that it all comes together - something clicks and that "aha" moment becomes reality.
Just as I know there is special care being given to my nephew I need to realize the same care from my Heavenly Father is being given to me. Just because I am older it doesn't mean the love and sacrifice are no longer valid or that it has waned.
It doesn't matter what areas in our lives we struggle or where we feel we are lacking. Christ sacrificed himself so that His love and care for us would never go dim. Jesus dying on the cross was proof of His love. His resurrection was evidence it would never cease. We serve a living God who will care for us all the days of our lives.
This Easter my prayer is that we don't forget it. Let's realize just how much he loves us and in return give Him all the glory, honor and praise. It is through Him we live and breathe.
Just as I loved to talk sweet things to my new nephew in those peaceful moments when it was just him and I, so does our Heavenly Father whisper in our ears His love for us. Let's get ready for some quiet time with Him as well as boldly rejoicing the fact that He is alive! He is alive and active in us!
