From Kay Meyer's column in the St. Louis Metro Voice newspaper from 1994 to 2013.
“Look—a newborn baby! Isn’t he precious! How old is he? What’s his name?
Have you ever noticed how many people open up and talk to strangers when they see babies or young children? Babies captivate our hearts and give us great joy! Maybe that’s why God the Father sent Jesus, His only begotten Son, into our world as an innocent newborn baby. The next time you see a newborn baby, consider the awesomeness of our Creator and how He used a baby to restore our relationship with Him. Our sins are forgiven through faith in His Son. Isn’t God wonderful?
Our family experienced the birth of a grandson in November. When my husband, Tjaden, and I first learned we were to be grandparents, our friends and business associates heard about it. We were excited and happy about the news and looked forward to being grandparents!
I laughed when my husband came home from work a few days after hearing the news. He’d decided to make calls on some of his customers. He’d taken a black magic marker and written, “I’m going to be a grandpa.” “You mean this is your first grandchild? I thought you had lots of grandchildren,” to “what’s so special about that!” and “who cares.”
The months went by quickly! Since Coreen and son-in-law, David, live in Chicago, we heard about the morning sickness, saw the ultrasound pictures through the Internet, helped Coreen select maternity clothes, planned a visit to St. Louis and a baby shower, heard about the active baby that kept her awake during the nights, and finally received the call on November 7, 2000 telling us a son had been born! Three days later we were in Chicago to meet our new grandchild, Seth David Jander. He is beautiful!
Several weeks later, I took some vacation days and traveled again to Chicago for his baptism. I had forgotten how busy a new mother and father’s life can be! It came back quickly! Yes, Seth David Jander is dearly loved and wanted a lot by parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts and uncles!
But, all babies are not wanted! Women who have been encouraged to have an abortion when they became pregnant shared the following stories:
“My mother encouraged me to have an abortion.” stated the young mother. “She actually took me to the clinic and dropped me off. I went in but couldn’t go through with it. I eventually married the father of the baby. We’ve been happily married for six years. I’m so thankful I chose life!” She continued, “An interesting thing happened after the baby was born. My mother and my oldest son became best buddies. I never spoke with mom about the fact that she had encouraged me to have an abortion, but I always wondered what she thought about the fact that she would have had a part in the murder of her beloved grandson!”
Another woman related the following: “I was adopted after being put in foster care for child abuse. I loved my adoptive parents, but when I got pregnant my father kicked me out. He won’t allow me to see my mother or brothers and sisters. I love my son but wish my adoptive parents would see me and their grandson.”
Sad stories! Yet, thousands of young pregnant women find themselves in similar situations. Please pray for women in these situations and support ministries like the Lidea House, Voelkerding Village and others that offer a place to live during the first few years of their child’s life.
Although, all babies are not always wanted by their mothers, fathers, and even grandparents, all babies are loved and known by God! “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart…” (Jer. 1:5a.)
W must help others learn to celebrate the physical, eternal and abundant life that God grants us! Celebrate the physical life God gives us! “Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living being.” (Gen. 2:7) Remember children are a gift from the Lord!
Celebrate the eternal life we have because of our faith in Christ! “For he who finds me finds life, and obtains favor from the Lord.” (Prov. 8:35) “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Matt. 20:28) “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” (John 1:4) “He who believes in the Son has eternal life.” (John 3:36) “Jesus said, I am the bread of life; he who come to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst.” (John 6:35) “Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me shall live even if he dies and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.” (John 11:25) “Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.” (John 14:6)
Celebrate the abundant life that is ours as Christians in God’s kingdom. “The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly.” (John 10:10) You and I can have an abundant life in Jesus Christ. Let’s share His love with others!
by Kay L. Meyer