Like a child...

We are an auntie and uncle again! For the 10th time :-) My brother-in-law and his wife had a baby late this past Sunday evening, and we got to see him yesterday for the first time - Baby Benjamin:

 

He's perfect! And we are thrilled :-)

I was thinking this morning about what a miracle children are. We saw Mogi's brother and his family on Saturday night, and there was Mama...big belly, ready for their new son to come any day. And less than 24 hours later, the child is out of the womb, into the world, has a name, has a family, is self-sustaining (almost). It's incredible!

And then I read this verse out of Ecclesiastes 11:5  - "As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things."

That about sums it up! One of the most mysterious attributes of God is His identity as Creator. It evokes such awe and wonder! And I believe that awe and wonder are exactly the right response. As the Psalmist said, "From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother’s womb. I will ever praise you" (Psalm 71:6). How can we not praise a God so marvelous, so beyond our understanding?

And his incredible power is coupled with his mighty love. He is pictured in the Bible as a Father, and we as his children. In this regard, little "Benni" is already teaching me some lessons. At this stage he has no choice but to rely on his Mama and Papa to provide for him, protect him, take care of him, nourish him, teach him, help him.

And though we might think we can do otherwise, we are really no different than Baby Benjamin. We are so, so dependent on the grace of God - even for our next breath! Our lives are but a blade of grass that grow up, and then are blown away by the wind. We need our Heavenly Father's protection; we need His hand guiding us and teaching us how to walk; we need His approval, his loving glances toward us; we need His provision.

And the key to receiving God's love and favor? Trust. "Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you even at my mother’s breast." (Psalm 22:9) Even when God's ways don't make sense to us...even when we cannot understand his work...even when we throw a fit and wish it were our way instead...even when we have questions...letting go in surrender...choosing not to worry but being content in all circumstances...even in the pain...and also in the good times...faith.

 ...like a child.