I hadn’t looked forward to Christmas since my sweet Mama went to be with Jesus in 2005. She was the true glue of our family, giving the holidays those special touches only a mother could give. It was a struggle to put up a tree, buy gifts and even attend the cheery church services. But God changed all that April 13, 2015.
But forget all that ~
it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.
For I am about to do something new.
See, I have already begun!
Do you not see it?
I will make a pathway through the wilderness.
I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.
~ Isaiah 43:18-19
Yes, God in His ever faithfulness created rivers in my dry wasteland. He sent a precious little baby girl named Sophia Elaine, whom I affectionately call Soph, into our lives.
If you had told me there was another love as strong as the one I had for my own children I would have thought you to be very wrong. But here I am in total and complete love with this child. The very first time I held her in my arms she smiled at me and I smiled back, it was our little secret. There’s been no turning back from that day.
The special bond God is forming between us is unlike any other I’ve had. I literally stand in awe as I see the unique little person He is creating right before my eyes. Maybe I see things more clearly now than when I was raising my children, maybe it’s because I’m older and wiser, or maybe I’ve just slowed down enough to notice all the fascinating intricacies in my Soph. But whatever it is He is doing has changed my life for the better.
I keep her for my daughter to work and I take this very seriously. To the point that I believe I have been discipling my granddaughter in some way or another since the day she opened her eyes and took her first breath.
My prayer every morning is, “Father fill me with Your Holy Spirit from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. Give me Your words, Your actions and please love her through me. Disciple her through me this day and give me an abundance of strength. Lord knows I need it, an abundance of wisdom, grace and love. And please Jesus produce ALL the fruit of the spirit in me today.”
It’s by far the hardest job I’ve had in a long time, but it is so worth it! It’s a privilege to be given this opportunity during this season of my life. One word sums it up ~ BLESSED.
Today she sang “Jesus Loves Me” for the first time all by herself. It was missing most the words, but when she got to the chorus it was clear she was singing ” Jesus loves me”. Then at the end there came a great big applause for herself and “Yay!”
She is only 19 months old and already singing His praises. My heart burst with the joy of her little voice trying her best to sing that most precious and true children’s song. Later she got Baby Jesus from the stable and carried Him around for a while. Eventually He ended up in her doll stroller buckled in while she gave Him something to drink. Then Soph took the baby for a stroll around the house stopping occasionally to give Him kisses.
What a life lesson I see in this one thing she did. She carried Him with her. She talked to Him as if He was right there. She held Him close and gave Him love and affection. The truth is, a baby loves wholly. A full on in your face kind of love. And the people they love the most are the ones they feel loved by and secure with.
I pray this is just the beginning of a lifelong intimate relationship with Jesus for her. A relationship that grows stronger every day and bears more fruit than anyone ever dreamed possible. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. ~ Ephesians 3:20-21
Before she was born I put this verse across the wall in her room at my home:
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither,
whatever they do prospers.
~ Psalm 1:3
I know my Lord is faithful. I know He loved us literally to death. I know He came to earth as a tiny little baby and He is using that paramount event 2000 years later in the life of a little baby girl named Sophia Elaine and her Nana. Because He is our joy in the world there can now be Joy to the World.
Merry Merry Christmas and remember to let Jesus love you this season and every day. He’s in the little things and the great big things, too.
Love to you and yours,
Julie Moore
Photo: Alais Wagner copyright 2016