Friday, May 27, 2011

The Look





Image from:http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/results.aspx?qu=baby&ctt=1#ai:MP900448534



I have been blessed enough to have the opportunity these past two weeks to work with kiddos at a hospital in Little Rock for my last rotation of my internship. It is really special working with kids because there is this sense of hope throughout the halls and various units. One unit that I have been able to work in is the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit or the NICU. All week I have been looking after premature babies, calculating calorie, protein and fluid needs as well as tracking growth. It is crazy how after a while, you begin to see numbers and charts and forget that this is an actual child, a human being with a need. Today however, I had one of those moments that stopped me in my tracks. It wasn't a cute nose, an adorable cry or a tiny little hand that attracted my attention: it was the look of a special needs baby. I was with my preceptor and she was explaining to me the condition of the child and the little baby opened up his eyes for a brief moment and it hit me like a ton of bricks. His eyes were so deep and his face so freshly made and flawless. Even as I write this, I get the chills and it has been etched into my mind.

As I was walking tonight, I thought about the significance of that look and how it relates to God's purpose and will for life. So often people think that if a child is marked with a mental or physical disability that their little life is worthless and ruined. I don't completely understand why conditions and disabilities occur and why God "allows" them to occur but I reverse that mentality and thank God for creating a life to begin with! None of us deserve to live in the first place. Not only that, but creating a life like that--that is different, unique and special. I feel that hidden behind those deep blue eyes of a special needs baby is a child that God has created with a plan and purpose to reveal an aspect of our amazing Creator. He is helpless; dependent upon his caregiver completely. Similarly, we are helpless; unable to eat, drink or even breath on our own without our Creator granting us another minute to live on this earth. There is truly something about that little guy and I am thankful for his look today to remind me of how precious this life is that we have all been given. It is my heart's prayer that you too take a moment and look into the eyes of a baby and see your need to become like a little child before your Father; humbling and surrendering yourself to our blessed Savior Jesus Christ as your provider both for Salvation and your very life!





John 3:2-4 (English Standard Version)


2This man came to Jesus[a](A) by night and said to him,(B) "Rabbi,(C) we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do(D) unless God is with him." 3Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is(E) born(F) again[b] he cannot(G) see the kingdom of God." 4Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?"

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Psalm 127:3-5


3Behold,(F) children are a heritage from the LORD,
(G) the fruit of the womb a reward.
4Like arrows in the hand of(H) a warrior
are the children[a] of one’s youth.
5Blessed is the man
who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame
when he speaks with his enemies(I) in the gate.


www.biblegateway.com ESV