Emily was turning four, and we were delighted that her mom and dad planned a birthday party during our visit, a week and a half before the “actual” date. Emily too was delighted because it meant she had birthday surprises and hugs and warm smiles for lots of days, and not just one. Being a long-distance grandma, I am not usually up-to-date on the latest wishes in a little one’s heart. But Mommy helped me out and we headed to one of those fascinating shops where a child can “build her own bear” or some other lovingly stuffed creation. Emily chose a pink unicorn, already sparkling with glittery attachments. White fluffy stuffing, a bright red silky heart, and the musical makings for endless listening to the happy birthday song, all went inside with a kiss and a wish from Emily. “Sparkle” had a castle home made from a sturdy cardboard box, but Emily really just needed her own lap to safely carry Sparkle home as we drove away.
I knew we had “officially” registered Sparkle and received a birth certificate in her honor, but it was not until we were at home, that I read the words on the birth certificate. My furry friend is special. I brought it to life. I chose it. I stuffed it. I made it my own. I promise to love it and give it a home. And I know I can see God’s fingerprints all over my life at times, and in that moment I did – and I wept. Grandmas can get emotional anyways, but in this moment, Grandma was also a child – God’s child. He calls me special. He brought me to life. He did so because He chose me and He drew me to Him as His very own. His promise of love is unfailing and eternal – a love that wraps me securely in the present and a love that will provide a home in His presence through eons that cannot be counted.
My daughter, you have been chosen by Me. You are my very own possession, My special treasure. I knit you together in your mother’s womb. I laid out the days of your life before a single day had passed. I loved you and chose you to be My child so that you would be holy and without fault in My eyes. I fashioned you as an artist fashions with paints or clay to be an expression of Myself, a display of My grace and kindness. I love you with a love that is everlasting and unfailing, even though you may stumble and fall, and even think yourself unworthy. My very Spirit lives within you and gives you life, enables you to walk in My ways, and whispers the assurance, that, yes, you are My child.
Precious, precious, sister in Christ, the assurances that God gave to me belong to you as well.
– Bev
(Related Bible reading: 1 Peter 2:9; Psalm
139:13-16; Ephesians 1:4-8; Ephesians 2:7-10; Jeremiah 31:3; Romans 8:14-16)
