Sometimes babies are born in the most unusual places: a subway station, the back seat of a taxi, the corner of a crowded restaurant. We never know where a baby might choose to make his appearance into the world.
The pregnant mother makes all possible preparations, packs a little suitcase for her trip to the hospital, or lays out all that will be needed when the midwife arrives. A little nursery is made ready, a place for the infant to lie safe and warm. If there are available funds, colorful decorations are hung to attract the infant once his eyes are able to focus.
But all the time no one knows exactly when the baby will decide to be born—or how much in a hurry he will be to get here. Sometimes the mother has no time to travel to the clinic or wait for the midwife. She is not able to make the baby postpone his appearance but rather must cooperate with this child who is eager to become a citizen of this earthly kingdom. Babies generally have their own time-table and will not be thwarted in their determination.
The godchild within us is indeed one of those with a birthing mind of its own. We absolutely cannot predict when God will bring our transformed spirit into our conscious awareness. It is God’s secret, meant to reinforce his design and determination to have his way, to act on his own time schedule. And it matters not whether we have made any preparations at all. In fact, our ability to make any preparations is highly unlikely. This birth is God’s surprise for us, the best Christmas gift ever, whether it comes on December 25 or any of the other 364 days available.
Ann Glover O’Dell
18 December 2017
Ann Glover O'Dell 