Previous Challenge Entry
Topic: Pride (04/12/04)
TITLE: Before You Were Born By Maree Paton 04/18/04 |
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This gorgeous new life gets wheeled into the nursery in the transport cot. Minutes old and still wearing a layer of blood and mucousy fluid from the delivery, the child gets weighed and measured and placed into the isolette. Cot oxygen on. The oximeter strapped to a foot. The thermometer under an arm. So much has happened in this child’s first few moments of entering the world. What an introduction!
It is easy to get involved in all the activity and after all, the nurses are there to look after this child. A child who would not be admitted to the Special Care Nursery unless the doctors deemed it necessary. Yet once the initial hurry and flurry has passed, the baby is settled and the chaos has calmed, it is amazing to watch the father. More is written all over his face than words could ever express.
His eyes say it all.
The love, so deep, that he did not know he was capable of giving or feeling for any human the way he loves this child right now – it is there, in his eyes.
The flicker of concern…’Will my child be okay?’ ‘How long will she be here for?’ The glance at the monitor…’What does it all mean?’ Is there, in his eyes.
The wonderment as he takes in every part of this child…’She’s got my nose, her mother’s hands. She is a part of me. Without me, she would not be here.’ Is there, in his eyes.
The overwhelming sense of awe and responsibility and my-life-will-never-be-the-same-again, as he slumps in the nearest seat – is there, in his eyes.
What immediately stands out however, whilst gazing once more at this precious new life, his eyes glistening with tears, is pride. Pride, as he realizes he would do anything for her, give anything, protect her, provide for her, listen to her and love her.
This dad is so proud of his daughter.
‘Cannot everybody see she is the most beautiful child in this nursery?’
‘She is looking right at me. I’m sure she just smiled. Did anybody see that?’
‘Is it okay to touch her? Look, she’s grasping my finger!’
He is so proud of his daughter.
It is written all over his face.
His eyes reveal all.
It gives me goose bumps every time. No matter how many times I see it.
Does he know this child was knitted together in her mother’s womb?
She was seen before she was born.
Every day of her life recorded…
Every moment laid out before a single day had passed.
Does he know?
Lord, I pray he does. I pray he will. Guide him Father and this precious new life. Thank you for Your plans for her. For the hope. For the future.
Thank you for this privilege.
I get goose bumps every time.
No matter how many times I see it.
A new life. A new miracle.
A father’s pride.
Our Father’s love.