“May the Lord bless
you, protect you, and bring you peace.” ~ Number 6:24-26
Matt slipped quietly inside the
hospital chapel, something he wouldn’t have done 8 years ago when their first
child was born. “Thanks God, for Bradley,” spilled from his mouth. Their third
child, Bradley, entered the world less than an hour ago.
He sat before the ecumenical alter remembering with some
lingering shame, how much he’d changed in the decade since their first baby was
born. Hell, he didn’t even know the hospital had a chapel back then.
Faith for Matt was an afterthought – he was more focused on
career, travel, and worldly things.
Matt was lost, he just didn’t realize it back then. His
first clue came from an unusual source. When he gazed down at Taylor, his
firstborn, he saw a gift from God. The evidence grew exponentially with the arrival
of their middle child that they brought sacred responsibilities to love and
nurture.
But it’d been an uneven journey. Sometimes God seemed close,
other times almost nonexistent. Eventually, Matt discovered it wasn’t God who
moved but him. Still, that didn’t always help.
He felt newborn energy when Bradley grasped his finger.
Every breath, smell, and piece of him was by Grand design; perfect engineering
from God to learn, work, create, and love.
“Thank you, Bradley,” he prayed, “for showing me a
little bit of Heaven. And thank You, Heavenly Father, for bringing this angel
into our lives. He stirs faith in my soul once more and warms me with Your love
for us. I know he, too, will be a blessing to this world.”
Then Matt wiped away grateful tears as he left the hospital
chapel.
It’s paradoxical. Without words, the tiniest infant can
speak the most powerful testimony. There is a God. He loves us. He made you. And
each baby brings a little bit of heaven with them.
God showers us with infinite blessings every day. The least
we could do is return the favor and bring blessings ourselves.
Bless those you see with your smile. Bless your work with
your energy and talent. Bless your friends with kindness and understanding.
Bless your family with your joy, laughter, and love. Bless your enemies with
forgiveness. Bless your animals with affection, love, and protection. Bless
those in need with compassion and help. Bless the children with tenderness, a
gentle reminder of God’s power, love, and sanctuary.
