By The Rev. Heather Wright
In our world today, there is so much brokenness, division, and heartache, people of faith need to be on the lookout for glimmers of God‘s light along the path for us and for others.
After eight years of infertility, I was delighted to welcome my daughter, Alyse into the world. It was a day I didn’t think would happen after many tests, drugs, blood work and procedures. There were also many disappointments along the way. It was a joy to hold her in my arms for the first time. Part of what I desired in having a child was the opportunity to know more of God‘s heart as a parent if I could have the experience of being a human one in my lifetime. Like so many new parents, seeing her on the ultrasound I realized a connection and relationship was already formed with this little life growing inside. Before she could speak, act or interact, I loved her wholeheartedly. As the years have gone by, I have learned more of God’s heart to nurture, teach and provide for, and love my child no matter what, just as God does for all of us as God’s children.
I am so grateful and blessed to be a parent. In 2009, that expanded to include wonderful older children who call me their “bonus mom”. My bonus son, Douglas, and his wife, Andrea gave birth to our first grandson, James this fall. What joy to go to the hospital when he was just six hours old. I had another chance to be part of the miracle of new life, this time as a parent to a new parent. I will never forget the wonder of watching both my son and daughter-in-law know instinctively how to speak to their little son. They knew what tone and words to use, how to hold and cradle him gently. I was watching once a child now transformed into a mother and father as their lives changed forever because James is here.
The wonder and bewilderment of parents is in sharp focus when we witness it happening to those we love. Our children recognized the weight of having such a little life so profoundly dependent on them. It is an awe-some responsibility. I was reminded of the phrase that, “when we give birth, a little piece of our heart is now outside our body walking around.” There is a vulnerability to loving that much. It is risky, but parents will agree with me, we wouldn’t have it any other way. When they hurt, we hurt. When they celebrate, we are elated. Sometimes we are even more afraid, distressed or grieved for them than we would be for ourselves in the same situation. They can bring more meaning, joy and pain into our lives than we could have ever imagined.
I imagine as God sees all of us grow from newborn to infant to toddler, God delights in our newly created life, our developing mind, budding personality, and skill acquisition. Just like these new parents. What joy to see my children take on that enormous responsibility, something too big, for any of us to really take on in our own strength and doing so with love and courage.
My husband and I are now the next generation. Like God, we are privileged to see our children loving their children. That gift passes on from generation to generation. We never appreciate our parents, and all that they did for us, especially in those hard, sleepless newborn days, until we are parents ourselves. In 1 John chapter 4, we read that God is love. We are called to love one another because whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. So as we love one another we are experiencing God and God abides in us. That is a radical thought that the God of the universe dwells in or takes residence in us. God is at work through us in the acting of loving and we are participating in a greater reality than we can comprehend. This chapter of Scripture goes on to show us that love is sacrificial. Jesus, the Son of God, took on death for the atonement of our sin, so we could live through him. God’s love for us came at a great cost to himself as a parent. When we earthly parents and grandparents pass along that love, we experience God’s Presence and are empowered to love others with his courageous and sacrificial love.
The Rev. Dr. Heather Wright is Pastor of Care and Connection at Stanwich Church, a licensed therapist and author of four books. You can find more information about her at heatherpwright.com.
