The Miracle of Life

It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything. I have a good excuse. I have been busy welcoming my new grandson into the world. Kai Avery Newman is a very big deal!

Sleeping in Grandma's arms

Last week I had the privilege of staying with my daughter and son-in-law to help out when Daddy went back to work. What a delight! Every time I held his tiny body and gazed into his eyes, I was struck anew with the miracle God performs when He creates a child.


A very huggable little bear

Before any of us knew what Kai looked like, or his gender, God was designing a one of a kind creation in the unseen world of my daughter’s womb. In fact, God knew all about Kai, before the moment of his conception. For, as God said to the prophet Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart” (Jeremiah 1:5, emphasis mine). 

We got our first glimpse of the boy we’d already given our hearts to on the day of his birth. Dark hair, dusky skin, perfect in every way. He has his mommy’s ears, daddy’s long slender fingers, grandpa’s nose, his other grandpa’s cleft chin, and a myriad of expressions that look familiar, yet new. Everything a baby does is somehow fascinating – the way he curls his fingers over his face, explores with his tongue, and lays on his changing table mesmerized by some aspect of the wall we cannot fathom. 


Me and my Valentine Bear






Ready for my first Sunday at church

Kai’s distinct personality will reveal itself like a bud unfurling. Even at a young age, his God-given gifts will become evident. Will he be creative and musical like his parents? Or will he be analytical and scientific? Will he be wise, compassionate, bold, an encourager, adventurer, generous, steadfast? Only God knows all that is yet to be discovered in this man child.

Kelly and I have witnessed this miraculous process with our three and a half year old granddaughter Jolieanna. The whole family waited at the hospital for our first glimpse of her, where she immediately stole our hearts. Her wild blonde curls and eyes the color of a summer sky are a complete contrast to her newborn cousin.



Doctor Jolie ready for business

Her impish grin and husky laugh, insatiable hunger for knowledge, and need to keep moving at all times have become a sweet part of our lives. Already nurturing the younger children at her mommy’s daycare, Jolie couldn’t wait to hold Kai and love him into the family. Who knew four years ago that this little girl would be hurtling through the water at breakneck speed? That she would take ballet and tap classes, sing songs about Jesus, and learn how to drive our little yellow four wheeler with an uncompromising zest for life? God did. 

Driving lesson with Grandpa




Swimming like a fish

He’s  performed this miracle of creation millions of times, yet never tires of it. He treasures each one of us and likes to show us off just as much as Kelly and I like to show off our kids and grandkids. As proud as we are, we can’t claim any credit. God alone has done the work and knows all they are and all they can be. The miracle of life.

“For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.”

Psalm 139:13-16