First, count the fingers and toes

 The LORD is high above all nations, and His glory above the heavens.

Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high,

Who humbleth Himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth! He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill.He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD. Psalm 113:6-9

Here the Psalmist compares the glory of the Almighty God to the rising pulsing source-of-all-life sun. Overarching, He sets the very rhythms and nature of forevermore high above the heavens.  

And yet He humbleth Himself even into the intimacy and mystery of the tiny scrunched up babe who brings joy to those who wait.  Who wait without hope. The arrival of Everette Tess yesterday at 3:06 a.m. caused family and friends to reflect on many things. There is nothing to tie together the common experience of humanity more tightly than that of bringing forth a baby.  The Birth Center was full of reminders of this truth. Odd, peculiar reminders and very vivid reminders.

There were a lot of times in the past week that our hopeful waiting gave out.  As illogical as it was, we all pretty much decided that little Everette wasn’t going to show up once she missed the three theoretical according-to-scientific-reason due dates.  Well, eventually she did start to come. Of course not how we expected or predetermined. Really in those predawn hours once again all of us, particularly the very engaged parents, gave up hope. Totally irrational, but true.   She would never come.

The LORD God Almighty does notice. He, who holds the spinning galaxies in one outstretched hand, beholds both heaven and earth. And keeps looking, even peering through the open window to the barren woman sitting alone by her hearth, rocking back and forth in loneliness.  Each of us is that woman with a faltering faith and a waiting womb.  We each have our own dunghill. Do You see me?  

I am reminded of the father who instantly cried out, "I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!" when Jesus asked, "What do you mean, 'If I can’? Anything is possible if a person believes."

And now I am jiggling little Everette Tess on my knees as she watches the shifting lights and pokes at her eyes with her long fingers.  Her little grabbing reflex works just fine and she grasps my thumb. And of course she is the synthesis of the power and glory of the LORD with her dark blue eyes and little bow mouth.  A marvel indeed this crowning jewel of His creation.  

I am unsure exactly how to answer the question, “So what is it like to be a gramma?”  

Lots of answers ramble around in my head.  And this is one of them.  With Little Tess jiggling on my knees I think about power and glory revealed and yet, this humility. Who not only notices my situation and raises me out of the dust.  But He made himself of no reputation, and with all humility took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men  Who jiggled on His mother’s knee.  

Who is like unto the Lord our God?