Oh No! I Gave Birth to Barney Fife!

Did you know that most mothers know their child when it is born? Oh, they
might not know what he looks like, but they know their little habits long
before they are born. I used to know when my baby had hick-ups. When he
would stretch and I could see a little hand or foot distorting the shape of
my tummy, I used to give it a tickle and watch the little limb disappear. I
even used to say, "Tickle, tickle" and laugh out loud at the response of my
baby. I used to sit in the rocking chair in the nursery before my baby was
born and hold my tummy, which was my baby, and rock gently back and forth
while singing lullabies and the baby would rest. All the motion would cease
and we would both rest together. And when my baby became very active I
would gently pat my tummy as if to say, "There, there, calm down now." I
knew everything about my baby when he was born except what he looked like
and that was a surprise. Actually it was a shock. When he was first given
to me he looked like a shrunken Barney Fife!!! "Oh no...I've given birth to
Barney Fife!". All the nurses laughed but I really cried. I waited nine
months for my beautiful baby and now this! They assured me that the baby
had been through quite a trauma being born and when I saw him later I would
know that I had not given birth to Barney! They were right....he was so
beautiful. And as I spoke, and caressed him, even though he could not see
yet, he somehow seemed to search for my face because he had heard my voice
so much over the months in the womb. Oh how I rejoiced at his arrival. We
had a party and everyone came to see the new baby. It was a Birthday...it
was a homecoming all wrapped into one.

It must be the same with God and us. He gives us life even though we are
separate from Him because of original sin. We hear His voice even though we
cannot see him and we strive to get back in contact with Him. He knows our
habits and he watches us stretch and grow. He sees our "hick-ups" and
restlessness with life. He is always there to comfort us during these
times. We learn about Him, and we long to be with Him. He directs our
paths so we can grow straight and strong. (Proverbs 3:6 NKJV "In all your
ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your path.") And if we have
accepted His son, Jesus Christ, when we go through our next birthing,
through death, into heaven, we will finally see His face! He will rejoice
as will all heaven and He will embrace us and tell us "Well done good and
faithful servent".(Matthew 25:21) Oh how I long to hear those words from my
Father in person.

Let us try to seek Him everyday and in every way. Let's learn about Him
through the Word. Let us try and truly get to know Him before we go home.
Let's hope to never grieve God. Let's hope we never drive Him to say..."Oh
no...I gave birth to Barney Fife!....Patti