I have a baby girl, you know. Her name is Mackenzie and she is the feistiest of little girls. Many opinions and ideas. Crazy ideas. And a lot of activity. dancing, galloping (she does not run, only gallops up and down our hallway) chattering; and she bosses everyone around who is within ear shot… That’s my girl.
About a year ago I began demonstrating how to give kisses. She would barely manage to sit still and snuggle, let alone get her face close enough to mine so I could touch my lips to her soft little baby cheeks. But I would sneak one every once and a while, and she would acquiesce. sometimes.
But a mother needs to kiss her baby girl.
We practiced. See Mackenzie, this is how you give a kiss… and I would plant one – muwah! and she would giggle. and when I would say, Now give Mommy kisses, my sweet girl would just giggle even more and turn her cheek to my lips for another. Quickly it became a bit of a game. I think she was always the winner, getting lots of kisses.
But a mother needs kisses from her baby girl…
Yesterday was a miracle day. I picked her up, happened to go through our routine, and I said, like this Kenzie, and upon demonstrating she responded in kind! I was stunned, to feel her kiss on my face! And the joy that turned round and round like a whirl wind in my heart! goodness!
Its just in time you know… it won’t be long and my baby will be grown, no more soft little cheeks to caress…
Long ago, our Heavenly Father loved us so much that He kissed the earth with His presence in the form of His Son. A tiny baby in a manger, He demonstrated His love with this unprecedented gift. And while He does not force our love, He sure does hope for it. I feel sure that the kisses we send Him do not go unnoticed.
from 1John 4:
9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Heavenly Father, Thank you for this precious gift of your Son, for the forgiveness of sins and life everlasting. Help me to know how to love you better in return. Instead of being stingy with my kisses, I want to respond generously and whole heartedly with my life. Let me find ways to do it in the here and now – I don’t want to miss the opportunities, because the time is short! amen.
daily portion 