The Miracle of New Life

(Ashlie at 38 weeks with little boy #2)

As I await the birth of my baby daughter’s second child, I am just about beside myself with anticipation. The addition of another grandbaby just brings such joy to my heart. My oldest daughter, Megan, has 3 precious ones and now Ashlie will have 2 precious little boys.

Someone asked me how the birth of this one compared to the birth of my first grandchild. I can honestly say that the level of excitement and love that I feel now is the same as it was 6 ½ years ago as I awaited the birth of Megan’s first child. I will admit that the first time I was filled with a different sort of emotion. There was a newness that only happens that one time. There was the element of the unknown. It was a venture into a new territory. I was only 40 years old and my daughter was only 17 at the time. But I can absolutely promise you that I feel no less thrilled with the impending arrival of this precious one than I did with any of the other bundles of joy. In my heart, it’s another first.

The miracle of birth is something that still just astounds me. I gave birth 3 times and have 3 of the most wonderful gifts from God. I have 3 precious daughters. But I am here to tell you that there is nothing that can compare to witnessing your own daughters give birth to their children. To witness them bring new life into this world. To witness their entrance into motherhood.

I have been blessed to be at the birth of all my grandchildren so far. I was there from the first contraction to the final push that preceded the emergence of new life into this world. I was there during the different stages of labor. I was there during the first stage when things weren’t too painful and they were still feeling good. I was there during the “Mama, I can’t do this anymore” stage. I was there when they had reactions to epidurals. I was there when their blood pressure went too low. I was there helping them breathe though contractions. I was there counting to 10. I was there encouraging. I cried when they cried. I laughed when they laughed. I rejoiced when they rejoiced. When those precious bundles from heaven made their appearance, I was just as overwhelmed with emotion as they were. Each time. Each baby. Each birth. Each miracle.

As I look forward to the birth of this next precious baby, I am filled with the same anticipation as before. I am so thankful that God has blessed us for now with these little ones. I am thankful for His protection upon my girls during their pregnancy, labor and delivery. I am thankful that my girls are fabulous mothers, raising their children in the admonition of the Lord. I am thankful that they love me enough to share this experience with me.

As I sit back and remember each birth experience, my eyes just fill with tears. I can’t even begin to tell you the level of joy that just floods my heart when I witness the miracle of birth. My heart is just so full of love for my girls and for their children. My sweet babies having babies of their own. I feel almost too blessed. I can still recall each moment when those miracles made their appearance. That very first moment when I caught sight of those precious babies. The looks on my daughters faces as they held their children for the first time. The looks that passed between them and their husbands as they held the result of their love in their arms.

Laughter and tears mixed together. Joy and relief. Praise and thanksgiving. Awe and wonder.

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” James 1:17