It Is Good

Genesis 1:31 (NLT) 

Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was excellent in every way. This all happened on the sixth day.

Psalm 139:13-14 (NLT) 

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—and how well I know it.

There is nothing we do as human beings that seems so full of eternity and God’s hand as when we first hold our new child in our arms.  All parents around the world know that sense of awe in holding a newborn baby. There is nothing more beautiful to most of us. 

I’ve experienced that personally four times in my life, and it never changes. We can’t help ourselves.  We look at what we’ve helped create, and we also respond as God did in looking at His creation with a sense that “It is good!” 

I remember wanting to just sit and look at the new baby sleeping.  I needed my rest while the babies got their rest, but I didn’t want to rest.  I wanted to watch, to look, to marvel at this little person so graciously given to us by God.  Each one was a masterpiece.  Each one was a poem, uniquely written by us and God working together. 

Ephesians 2:10 says we are His workmanship which is also translated “we are His work of art”.  How awesome to realize that not only does God look at His creation as good, but He considers us a work of art!  No wonder He lavishes His love on us.  He truly values us. 

I wonder if my kids are overwhelmed with how much we cherish them as our little works of art.  I wonder if they take pride and joy in knowing that we value them so highly.  I know how it is like a healing oil on my soul to realize how God feels about me.  I want to pour that same healing oil on my children’s hearts and yours today.  Rejoice in the knowledge that you are your Father’s work of art!

Lord, help me to pour the healing oil of love on my children today.  Help us to pour out your love and acceptance on those you bring into our lives daily as well.  Thank you for the love you have lavished upon us.  Thank you that You created us and saw us as good.  Thank you that you call us your works of art.  Help us as parents to cherish our children in this same way.  Help us never forget the awe we felt when we first counted those ten little fingers and toes and held that helpless little baby in our arms for the very first time and never wanted to take our eyes off of them.  Renew that first love in our parent-hearts today.