By The Hand

I had the privilege of making a meal for a young mom.
She just had her second child.
She now has two little boys to love.
I could not wait to meet her new son.

I prepared the meal in the morning.
I sent her a text to set up a time for me to deliver the meal.
I put everything on a tray and grabbed the present I had for her new baby.
There was one more important thing that needed to be included.

Years ago when I had my second daughter, I was blessed with meals.
Around 5:00 every other night, hot meals would arrive.
It was so wonderful not to have to worry about cooking in those early days.
I remember one night in particular.

The hot meal came.
There was also an adorable gift bag with outfits for my new baby girl.
There was another little gift bag.
That bag was for my oldest daughter.

This is a big sister present, the giver explained.
She handed it directly to my little girl.
My little girl who seemed so small when I went into the hospital.
My little girl who grew up overnight it seemed, when I returned home.

I watched my  2 1/2 year old daughter open her present.
It was a small baby doll with a little bathtub.
Included was a washcloth, comb and brush set, and a baby bottle.
My little girl loved her big sister present.

She named the baby doll, Baby Susan.
Every time I fed the baby, my little girl fed Baby Susan.
When the baby got a bath, Baby Susan needed a bath as well.
Baby Susan was very loved.

I never forgot how much that gift meant to my little girl.
I have tried to do the same thing whenever there are older siblings in the house.
If there are many siblings, a game or favorite book to share may be the gift I choose.
If there is only one other brother or sister, the gift can be a bit more specific.

I arrived at the house and saw the little boy coming to the door with his mommy.
He stepped back when his mother opened the door.
Since I was carrying the tray of food and the gift bag, congratulatory hugs happened later.
Before we did anything else, I wanted this special boy to open his big brother present.

The gift was small.
It was some wonderful Fisher Price cars for toddlers.
He immediately ran the cars across the kitchen floor.
His little two-year-old heart was excited about new cars to play with on the floor.

His mom and I were talking in the kitchen.
She asked me if I wanted to hold the baby.
What a joy it is to hold a newborn.
The mommy rock took over, as I swayed from side to side.

The big brother brought over a book that he wanted to show me.
The big brother ran his cars near my feet.
The big brother laid his special bear right where I was standing.
It is what he did next that touched my heart.

He grabbed my hand.
He wanted me to follow him.
He wanted to show me something.
He brought my into the family room so he could show me his toys.

He pointed to the floor and wanted me to sit down with him.
He showed me his police station, which is appropriate since his daddy is a policeman.
In his own little two-year-old way, he was showing me his treasures.
My heart was so happy.

I would love to think that I am the only one he takes by the hand, I teased.
He is usually slow to warm up with new people, she said.
For whatever reason, in his little two-year-old way, he trusted me.
What a blessing to have the simple trust of a child.

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea...See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. (Matthew 18:1-6, 10)

Jesus had no time for anyone who would harm a child.
Their innocent trust is not to be betrayed.
The ease with which a child brings you into their world cannot be abused.
Indifference towards children hurts the heart of God.

To God, the greatest in the Kingdom is a child.
An innocent, trusting child is who God says we are to imitate.
God is not impressed with the powerful, who play for position.
God’s heart is for the child, who totally depends on Him.

Can you see it?
Can you see a child taking the Father’s Hand?
Except this time, it is not the child that is doing the leading.
This time it is the Father.

Come let me show you the place I have prepared for you.
Come and sit with me.
I love you with an everlasting love.
In that moment, you are the only one God the Father is taking by the hand.

My heart melted with the innocence of a child.
His little hand in mine was so sweet, so honest, so unscripted.
Can you imagine what it will be like one Day?
On that Day, the Father will take our hand and lead us to the place for which we were created.

 

2 responses to “By The Hand”

1. So sweet! I’m glad you have a little one in your family too!

   Reply

   • So am I, Sue.
     Our sweet little granddaughter is a Gift from God’s Hand.
     Gina

     Reply