STOP AND SMELL THE BABY

                                                                                    

Settling down to basics is what I do best nowadays.


My routine has been so altered recently that I still find myself in a time and continuum warp. Am I in Manila or in Washington DC where I touched down a month ago?


Is it night time or day time? It depends. 


When my hubby Jack calls me from Manila, he's in a rush to get to work or downing his breakfast while my son's household in the U.S. of A. prepares for dinner.


But I love this continuum warp---the best time to take stock of what's more important and realize the triteness of the things we thought we needed but really didn't need, like going gaga over mall sales or acquiring a new branded bag.


Now in a place where my daily routine has been drastically altered, I find myself drawn to just one major attraction---and finding myself becoming of value to my loved ones, even for just a while. 


Well, summer blooms abound in this place, but these dazzling beauties don't really make my day. 


I'm thankful for the fact that constantly, I can stop and smell the baby---my son Carlo and daughter-in-law Opal's week-old daughter Natalie Grace, my momentary reason for being in this out-of-the-way place in the first place.


My last apostolic mission after other apostolic missions in Australia to bond with our two other grandkids Joaqui and Charlize! 


And like her cousins and all babies when they were born, Natalie Grace is the scent of purity and innocence and wonder. Why can't we adults smell like so?


And no flower could beat her soft satiny skin. You just want to hug and cuddle this tiny helpless being who's probably the only creature in the world who could make you smile like you've won a million bucks.  


And does she bloom! Whether she's smiling, screeching, frowning, crying, fretting, feeding, pooing, peeing or burping, she's everyday a flower in bloom.


Nourished not only by milk from her mother's breasts but by the love of her doting family. 


It's no joke for new parents to have their lives so constricted by a tiny, helpless and can't-wait-to-be-attended-to being, and be on call every minute, but Carlo and Opal are discovering it's all worth the sacrifice. God has given them the grace to fulfill their role as faithful stewards of this beautiful innocent soul.  


And every day I look at her, I behold a miracle, the very expression of God's creative power and purpose.


The bible says that God knew this baby from the beginning of time, that He has a plan to prosper her and not to harm her, to give her hope and a future.


Thank you Lord for Natalie Grace! Thank you that she is the apple of Your eye. Thank you for your favor and protection and grace surrounding her as she grows up, in Jesus name!