Today is special. Today is my first grandchild’s birthday. It’s the anniversary of the day I became a Grandma. It’s the day I got a glimpse of how much our Father in Heaven loves us.

I remember watching and trying to help as my daughter, Rainbow, and her wonderful husband brought this beautiful child into the world. I’ve been on the get-the-baby-out side of labor, obviously, but I’d never been on the other side. She worked so hard, and she was so focused on the important work she was doing. She amazed me. I was in awe of the amount of work we women go to in the effort to bring a baby into this life.

I got to hold this precious boy while the midwife and nurses took care of the after-birth work. The minute I took him into my arms, I looked down at him and felt so much overwhelming LOVE. It struck me then with a wave of warmth – I prayed a prayer of gratitude and awe. “Heavenly Father, I love him so much already. He hasn’t even done anything, he’s so new.  But I love him so much.”

And then, in my heart I heard the words, “That’s exactly how I feel about you, and each of my children.”

That moment changed my life. It made me a grandma. It taught me about how God loves me.

That early morning, after all was settled, I walked out to my car through the slush in the parking lot, tipped my face up toward the night sky and felt the snow falling on my face. In my heart the stars were dancing and singing.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

“How could the Father tell the world of love and tenderness? He sent His son, a newborn babe, with peace and holiness.”