The Seed We Need
A tiny seed was placed in our souls when we were created. Each of us comes into the world with complete dependence on someone—someone bigger, stronger, wiser, and equipped to navigate the world. An infant can do nothing. She cannot feed, clean, or clothe herself. Every need must be met by a caring person. In a perfect world, that's exactly what would happen. Newborn cries break through the busy, Care for me. Care for me-e-e! Many mamas and daddies get this right every day.¹
Beloved friends, let us love one another; because love is from God; and everyone who loves has God as his Father and knows God. 1 John 4:7 CJB
This is how things should work, and the followers of Jesus should be really good at it. God loves us, so we love others, even the tiniest "others." Every child should receive love and care. Needs should be met. Loving eye contact should be exchanged consistently. Oooos, Ahhhhs, and baby talk should be every child's introduction to life.
But we live in this world, and there are problems. Women use the word choice as if the little one had no significance. New life collides with lifestyle. Parents sum up the value of a child in a four-letter word—W-A-N-T—and adjoining words matter. Are they more than anything? If it's don't, that causes stress for the mama. Studies indicate the baby experiences stress and the spectrum of emotion in the womb, and the effects can last.²
I'm reminded an imperfect world often leaves a gap. Stress in utero may have taken a toll. Parent-child connection might be like the San Andreas Fault, shaky and unpredictable. A parent’s eye contact may be tentative, angry, or absent. A newborn's basic needs may go unmet. That's all trauma to a little one. It's heartbreaking.
But there is One who can and will fill any gap.
Can a mother forget the infant at her breast, walk away from the baby she bore? But even if mothers forget, I'd never forget you—never. Isaiah 49:15 MSG
The seed of connection is part of the creative plan of God. When we experience life in a contrary way, something deep within us cries out, "This isn't right!" And it makes sense: we know when something is broken intuitively, even if we can't put words to it. When people fail (and they do), the seed in our soul cries out for water and sunlight.
People, even mamas, may fail. God will not. He will never forget any of us because we are so precious to Him. One day we'll need to explore where God is when it all goes wonky, but this isn't that day. Today we focus on our unfailing, loving God. He offers perfect connection when the important threads of our lives are left in shreds.
If you are the one who comes from hard places, a less-than-loving introduction to life, He remembers you. If you are the one who comes from hard places and then impacted a little one in your choices, He remembers you. He wants to heal the broken places. He wants you to know that the first connection you need is to Him.
But to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God. The Word became flesh and took up residence among us. John 1:12-14a CSB
The identity of a child changes. The brokenness is never completely erased, but the story is beautifully redeemed when He redeems you. Imagine: no longer defined by the hard places, no longer left to the trauma, no longer called the child from the broken home with no significance or blessing. You are His. That changes everything!
I'd love to hear your thoughts. I hope you find the material to be helpful, something that serves you well, friend.
¹ Make a Difference Monday | Taking A Closer Look at Connection: a TBRI Principle, October 31, 2018.
² Fetus to Mom: You're Stressing Me Out!, October 31, 2018.
