I have been thinking about children.  Lately, children have been prominent in the headlines and in our prayers.  On a personal level, July keeps my memories of children  “green” as it is the month in which both of my children were born.  We have just celebrated the birthday of my youngest son, Seth, and the older one, Brad, marks a milestone event tomorrow.  We will have a big family party to celebrate all the summer birthdays.

Brad was born in the summer between my junior and senior years in college.  I had just finished an Embryology course.  I had learned all about the beginning, middle and end phases of several organisms, including human beings.  I thought that I knew and understood it all.  I was wrong.  Conception and birth rank right up there on the top of my wonder list.  I thought that I understood the process learned through study and research, when in fact, the actual result illustrated that I was clearly mistaken.  The birth of my child made my belief in God complete.

When I held that tiny baby in my arms and looked into his eyes, I was overcome with love and awe.  How can two teeny tiny cells come together, begin to divide and produce this most beautiful example of God’s love for His people?  Clearly, it a miracle which I will only understand  when I sit at the Master’s knee and He teaches.

I am not alone in this feeling of wonder.  Children make enormous impacts, not only on their parents and family, but on just about everyone.  Witness the anxiety we felt while watching the rescue of Thailand’s soccer team, or the sadness we feel for the children waiting for their separated parents.  I believe these emotions are intentional on the part of the Creator.  He uses children to teach us how to behave; how to treat each other; how to love one another generously.  He asks that we become like children in our attitudes towards each other.  He tells us that when we accept one child in His name, we accept Him.  What a wonderful world it would be if we just followed this instruction.

My children have provided not only wonder, but the opportunity to practice unconditional love.  No, I can’t get it right all the time; that’s why I practice.  But love them I do, with every cell in my body.  I will for as long as I live and beyond.  I practice and follow the example provided by the Father, who loves you and me and everyone in the whole wide world — unconditionally!

Terri