Proud parent

“You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”  Mark 1:11b

Time today for a little side trip. 

Today, my firstborn turns 30. Yes, that's right: my son is thirty years old. Hardly seems possible.

Thirty years ago, at 5:21 in the morning, he came quietly into the world, all nine pounds, ten ounces of him. (I was the one screaming and bawling.) He looked quietly at his dad and me as we counted fingers and toes, marvelled at the depth of those eyes! (For the record: That may have been the last time he was speechless. He is his father's son.)

In that moment, life continued, and hope and promise entered our world. We knew what it felt like to offer unconditional love-- at least for a little while. (True confessions: I am close to incapable of loving without condition for very long. But I try.)

In that moment, we began to dream dreams for this tiny child, dreams of a future. In that moment of new life, one cannot help but allow the mind to wander down all sorts of paths. He could grow up to be anything! 

I can tell you this: At no point did we ever dream anything but good dreams for this baby. You don't hold a child in your arms and wonder how he will leave the world. No, children are (or should be) about the future. They hold tomorrow in their teeny tiny wrinkled hands.

* * * * *

In those moments following Jesus' baptism by his cousin John, we get a beautiful glimpse of God the proud Father. This creation of God-clothed-in-flesh has brought a surge of paternal pride-- and God seems unable to contain himself. "Look! This is my Son! What a good work this is! In him I offer you the promise of life."

Hearkens back to Genesis. God said, "It is good!"

Each child brings promise. Every parent dreams dreams for their offspring.

And even as God was well pleased with his son, he loved each of us so much that his dreams of promise, hope and new life extended not to Jesus, but to us. 

Today is also the first day of spring. All of creation begins its official return to life. Promise, renewal-- hope. 

As Jesus rose victorious over death, so, too, does life itself shake off the chill and death of winter, stretch and flex, and begin the cycle anew.

Thank God. Thank God for springtime, for renewal and for the amazing gift of new life. Amen.

No wonder God was well-pleased. What an amazing plan!