New life. New love. I had the sweet privilege of witnessing both of those last night.
I got to see my friends and neighbors, Chad and Chasity become parents for the first time…
baby makes three…baby Ava Marie!
Both mommy and daddy were almost speechless with joy and that indescribable, uncontainable love that invades your heart when you become a parent. Unconditional, over-the-top, endless love. It was fun to hear them try to describe it and then give up because there were just no words that were worthy of such an immense emotion.
But you could see it in their eyes. Something in their heart has shifted and changed forever and the eyes tell the tale. A new depth. A new vision. A new perspective. Their lives will never quite be the same.
And then there’s little Ava. She is experiencing for the first time the loving hands, hugs, kisses and words of her mommy and daddy and all those that know and love her. She has entered a new world of light and life and love. Every day she has something new to learn and discover.
The sweet part? She didn’t have to earn any of it. Her parents shower her with it simply because they want to, and even deeper than that, because they can’t do anything less. It’s their natural instinct to love Ava with everything in them. To protect her. To nurture her. To sacrifice for her. They could not even imagine not giving her all that they are as parents.
Once again, God gives us pictures in this life of how incredible His love for us is. He offers us new light, new life and a new love. Not because we asked for it. Not because we deserved it or earned it. Just because He could. Because in His nature, He IS love and light and life. And He is compelled to offer it to and share it with us.
Without a doubt, I know that Chad and Chasity would give their lives for Ava. In many ways, they do that just by becoming her parents. They give up their lives daily from this day forward to take care of her, unselfishly putting her needs above their own. But I can also guarantee that if necessary, the would give life and limb to save their daughter from danger.
Jesus did that for us. He came to us and lived with us and offered His life by giving and serving us. But our rescue required more than that. It required Him to give His life for us. And He did. That’s where new light, new life and new love began for us.
Welcome, little Ava, to your new world. You are joining a wonderful family who loves you more than they’ll ever be able to express. But they will try. Every single day.
Thank you, Chad and Chasity, for your real life reminder of what true love and life really are. Welcome to your new dimension. May your hearts never quite recover from the shock of this new found love.
I love you all. And Jesus loves you more.
John 10:10 – I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
John 1:4 – The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone.
