One of the most significant moments of my life was to be present when my granddaughter, Malaya Leigh, entered the world.
.March 2, 2007--I stood at the bedside of my daughter, Leigh. Delivery was imminent--I couldn't help but think about the miracle of birth. For nine months this little one, soon to be born, had been surrounded by fluid. For nine months this new life had floated in protected warmth and darkness, close to my daughter's heart.
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Then . . . within a matter of seconds, a dramatic change took place. The tip of our baby's head appeared, no bigger than a dime. Then the head disappeared. Another contraction and Leigh pushed hard. Once more a bit of dark hair appeared, then disappeared. So close--our Baby was about to be born.
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Our daughter cried out and pushed again--the top of our baby's head appeared. Within moments Malaya's entire head emerged . . . then her shoulders. My granddaughter burst into the world . . . and took her first breath. Her first cry brought to tears to my eyes.
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The doctor lifted our naked granddaughter high.
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I'll never forget the moment when her eyes made contact with mine; the wonder of that moment defies description. The Almighty Spirit had breathed into Malaya Leigh the breath of life.
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There is something beautiful about the breath of the Almighty. Even His name, the Holy Spirit, carries the idea of moving, vitalizing breath. The breath of the Almighty takes the thoughts of God and gives them voice.
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In His presence we discover a deepening joy. A baby's fingers wrap around our own; we bite into an icy watermelon on a hot day; we discover an expected flower blooming in a desert, or the wonder of a delicately formed snowflake. Our spirits are moved. We respond by allowing God to still our hearts, give us a song, or deepen our adoration as we stand shoulder to shoulder with others in worship.
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When we allow these experiences to imprint our lives, they teach us more about what it means to reverence and adore our Lord.
