KACS Radio Network

If ye . . . . being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Matthew 7:11.

Wayne and I were blessed to see brand-new Ayiana Ayala last weekend. She is absolutely perfect! Ayiana resembles her mother, Natalie, and has her cute nose. She is a pink little thing, with coal-black hair that has a bit of wave in it.

I sat and watched Ayiana after the nurse came in the room to weigh her and check her temperature. Standard procedure. After she dressed her in a fresh gown and diaper, carefully swaddled and returned her to the tall bassinet, Ayiana finally opened her eyes. I stared as she seemed to be familiarizing herself with the world around. They say that newborn infants can't visually focus right away, but it looked as if she was trying out those strangely blue/brown/black eyes in earnest. Her pretty pink mouth opened as wide as she could get it, obviously searching for her mommy's breast. It was too, too cute. I didn't want to take my eyes off that precious face.

Later, I thought about the differences between a human baby and a newborn in almost any part of the animal kingdom. By the end of the day of its birth, a new giraffe has already learned to stand up. The baby bald eagle will eat its meaty meal with ease on that first day. But Ayiana will not stand up unassisted until she's somewhere between 6 and 9 months. She may enjoy her first unstrained or unmashed meal within that same period. Simply, Ayiana needs her mother, not just to survive but to get from place to place, to make decisions for her, and to provide security.

Watching our little goddaughter reminded me of how dependent I am on my heavenly Papa for survival—not just physically, but spiritually. I am as pitiful and as needy as a newborn babe when I set out to make it on my own. I am not equipped. I need a tender, loving, and doting Daddy.

How blessed we are to live in a world created by an awesome, eternal God who wants so much to be our Abba-Father as well. Such love, such condescension!

Thank You, Papa-God, for creating me, then adopting me, and providing everything I need to survive. I long to see You and to put my head on Your shoulder—forever.