The “Miracle of Recognition”

I saw a miracle this week! After nine months of waiting we finally got to meet our new grandson. You would think after six grandchildren the sight of a newborn would become normal or ordinary, but oh my goodness, it is anything but normal. It is spectacular! It is a miracle!

Like other families, as soon as that little one arrives there is always a curiosity to see what they look like, or who they look like. It is truly a wonder when you first see them. It allows everyone a quick trip down memory lane to see if they recognize similarities to Mom and Dad. This “miracle of recognition” shows not only God’s handiwork but it unifies generations as they see traits pop up in unexpected ways. That was true this time too. This little fella was blessed with dimples and black hair which gave him an immediate camaraderie with his brother and the past generations sitting in the room. But as amazing as it was to see the cute little dimples and beautiful black hair there was something else that hit me as I walked in the room.

One of the first things that struck me was how instinctively and quickly this new life went looking for Momma. It was similar to what I had observed with the other grand-babies. I marvel each time when I see the the depth and intricate details God masterfully designed between a mother and child. It wasn’t just the nine months of a beautiful production process where two hearts beat side by side, but now there’s an immediate recognition between the two!

That little fella knew instinctively who had given him life:

And without hesitation he was seeking to gain strength from the same source. You could see an adoration taking place as he made eye contact. Absolute trust was seen as that little soul didn’t just lean, but actually melted into the curvature of his Mommy’s embrace. What a beautiful picture of God’s creation of life.

Yet what was also just as interesting was the change that took place the moment that bond was interrupted. A quick cry was heard when the nurse took him over to be weighed. It wasn’t long but it showed a lack of trust in his stiffened body language. And when they put the cold ink on the bottom of his foot for his footprint, you heard a startled cry. Obviously there was no trust or recognition. This little guy wanted to return to the arms of safety; to the one who gave him life.

The contrast between these two events was a simple, yet a profound word picture coming from the most innocent of lives. It made me consider: How many times do I complicate God’s truth with my own input or understanding when the purest and most basic of truths is right before my very eyes.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”

(Proverbs 3:5)

Do I trust in the Lord with such abandonment that my body language shows a melting of my heart into His? Or, do I lean more toward my own understanding, which can be short sighted at times, or can certainly leave me startled by the cold cruelties of this world. I desire to do the former, yet I know there are times I do the latter. I want to “trust the Lord with all my heart.” I want to keep my eyes focused, always trusting, always recognizing the gift of life.

How do we grasp hold of an ever-present trust and this eternal gift of life? It is not within our power or grasp, it is by doing exactly what a newborn does instinctively, they melt into the one who gave them life! Liz Curtis Higgs gives a great description in 31 Verses to Write on Your Heart, when she says: “That’s why God must teach His children as if we were newborns frightened by loud sounds and confused by our surroundings. We need to learn a new language called grace and a new way of living called loved so we can trust Him with our whole hearts.” (Higgs 171).

So I guess you could say, I saw two miracles this week! The first was getting to meet my new grandson, and the second was when he taught me!

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
(Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV)