Made With Love

::via::

The last few months have had us inconsistently attending church. We've had a variety of sicknesses that we've had to deal with G, my morning sickness, bed rest, travel, etc. I think we're all out of the woods for now (except for my moderate bed rest) and we're ready to get back to some normalcy. It was wonderful to praise and worship with my church family yesterday.

Our pastor began a new series in Genesis. The book of Genesis opens with God creating the world. There were moments in his sermon that I became very overcome with emotion. I attribute it to the pregnancy hormones and the Spirit moving...God was speaking to my heart. Our pastor spoke on the reason behind God's creation. He made us to have a relationship with us. He fashioned us to enjoy this world, to connect with Him, and to share His love with others. There were moments when I just sat in awe of how the God who created the universe and all that I ever have and will know, is the same God who loves me and created me for a purpose.

He went on to talk about how God took so much care to make everything. That includes us. He knit us together in His image. I became teary as I reflected on this truth. Not only did He make me with love, but our daughter...she is one of the most precious gifts He's given us up to this point. And while in my biased opinion I deem her perfect, in reality, she was perfectly knitted together by her Creator. He designed our daughter with tender loving care, placed her in my womb and then in our arms. The sentiments continued as I hugged my growing belly. The sweet babe that I now carry continues to be knitted together with just as much love. I just imagine God taking His hands and forming this child. I imagine Him instructing every part to grow and I can almost see the smile on His face as this babe wiggles around.

It's humbling. It's humbling to think that I was chosen to carry these children and to bring them into this world. Our pastor touched on the fact that God initially made this world and saw that it was good. Of course sin entered the world and has since destroyed much of what was once good...but we can still look around and see God's goodness. I see it on the face of my daughter and in the faces of my first grade students. I see it in the way my husband loves and cares for us. I see it in the way we are ceaselessly provided for. I see it in the sunrise and the fiery sunsets. It would take forever to list the ways in which God's goodness is still alive and well in this world.

I look at my daughter and think of this new babe. I think of the promise that they hold. God has placed them into existence for an amazing purpose, and while it can become overwhelming at times to think about the responsibility that it entails for us as their parents, I remain in awe of how God uses us and will eventually use them to grow His Kingdom.

All of this brings me to one overall thought. We were made with love. We were fashioned with great things in mind. We all contain talents and skills that only we can use to make change in the lives of others. Today...challenge yourself to use (and maybe discover) your talents and skills to touch others' lives. Also today, and everyday, remember you are loved no matter what the world tries to tell you. Instill this message into your children.

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