A Child of God

"You are my well beloved child in whom I am well pleased." Mark 3:22

Our daughter Ariel is 26 years old today. She is our second oldest, born more than five years after her sister Emily. We had wanted our children close together in age but it didn't work out that way. We loved Emily so much and wanted her to have a sibling close in age so she would have a playmate and a companion. Our timing is not always God's timing though. The day she was born was a beautiful Sunday in April. We went to church and I had some contractions, but the labor wasn't yet too serious. Ariel was due on the 21st, so I was more than ready. We packed Emily off to stay with her friend Lily Loizeaux and family and then headed off to the hospital. Labor was short, intense and she arrived very quickly. Ariel Morgan was born that Sunday evening, beautiful and perfect. We were well pleased. Like both of her sisters, she has proved to be a complete joy, a child bringing light and life to the world. Of course, as her mother, I have a hard time not being completely biased about Ariel and her sisters.

Our story from Mark is of the baptism of Jesus by John. A dove descends and we hear the voice of God claiming Jesus as a well beloved child. God displays the Creator's compete bias toward the child, the offspring brought into the world for the sake of the world. The long anticipated (some would say well over due) savior of the world, child of God and Mary, the carpenter's wife. God's timing is different than ours, always.

Today, I want to live with the understanding that God looks at us with the same eyes of love as on that day of the baptism of Jesus. God's bias is for us, for all the children of God. The Creator's love for us is no less than a parent for their child. I want to look on others today with the eyes of a parent who sees all the goodness and potential in every offspring. May we have the insight and vision today to see ourselves through the loving eyes of God, and may we look on one another with that same tender love that rejoices in every child.