What I Learned In Church

With each of our children I have had a very eye-opening moment (doesn't well describe it, but I can't think of a better word right now) in church...maybe "awe inspiring" is closer. There have been other similar moments with the same realization, but at least one hugely moving moment in church with each. Each time, it strikes me...something we so often forget. I look at a new baby and realize how big and amazing God is. This tiny thing, created by God. Really I've just been an incubator for 9 months. God has used two tiny little cells, and created a living, breathing child that has everything it needs to live a full life. A tiny heart that's beating that will last a lifetime. A stomach that, granted will do some maturning, but can already process food to sustain life, and has all it needs to fully mature and last a lifetime. Teeny little toes that will learn to run in a few years. Every brain cell needed to accomplish God's plan. It's just absolutely amazing to me and nearly knocks me out of my seat to look at this little package and realize what all is inside, and what amazing God is required to create such a thing. It's really beyond my comprehension, and I hate that so quickly we forget this. I hate that we can't have this sense of awe when meeting everyone with whom we come in contact...realizing they had the exact same beginnings, with the exact same Creator. Surely I'd have more patience and grace if I remembered daily that sense of awe that this 2 year old and almost 4 year old were created in the image of a holy God and He is still transforming them in that same image.
So, that hit me again last night in church, but I learned something else, too. Much simpler, but still very special to me. Ellie is 2 weeks old today. Still not awake much, and definitely still not smiling...except in her sleep. Last night I was holding her in church. She was sleeping. I just happened to look down when she gave the biggest smile. Then I realized (the first thought that popped into my head), she's going to have a beautiful smile. Really beautiful.