At the end of February we had a brand new granddaughter. Before our Collective Quarantine changed things around for us, I had the chance to watch her sleeping in my arms while her Mom and Dad got some sorely needed sleep after a rough night.
Sitting in the quiet with a sleeping baby in my arms is an exquisite experience. In each moment I find a rich wellspring of movements of the spirit. I am taken back to when I held our children in my arms so many years ago. The sweet sleeping baby girl in my arms becomes for me each of the children that we nursed into growth, to the point where the Old Testament blessing …”May you live to see your children’s children” … has become manifest in our life, and in this moment.
Like many parents (and grandparents), I wonder how life will unfold for this little cherub. I reflect on how the world has changed as our firstborn have grown into middle age, and ponder the world this little one will experience
I wonder too about how she will discover God in her life. As she lays on my breast, held safely in my arms, warmed by my energy as it overflows into hers, and surrounded by – immersed in – my love, will she be able to experience God in that same way? To know that she is also held in God’s arms? Immersed in God’s love?
Perhaps more to the point, how often do I appreciate that despite all of the stresses and worries of these days, I too am surrounded by, immersed in, the love of my creator.