Day 2 – Created Anyway

Day 2 – Created Anyway

On my birthday, I often think of how grateful I am that my parents chose to have me in the first place. Much like myself, I don’t think they could have ever guessed how hard it would be to have a child. I took a course in babysitting at 13 and then as soon as I could started watching any child I could. I continued to babysit and work with kids throughout my college years. I graduated with a degree in special education and elementary education. I taught in a classroom for three years before my husband and I had our first child. Though I never said so out loud, I was convinced that I knew basically everything there was to know about raising kids. Yes, feel free to laugh at that naïve and ridiculous thought. Then a nurse handed me this precious baby boy and I realized I knew absolutely nothing about the actual raising of a child. Being a parent has been by far the hardest and most incredible experience of my life, but I am glad I didn’t know all the things before I chose to have children. I might have seen the heartaches that were coming and missed out on the blessings of being a mother.

God, on the other hand, knew exactly what He was doing when He created humans. He knew how hard it would be to try to guide us. He knew how much we would fight against Him. He knew how much pain we would cause ourselves and Him. He knew that it would cost the life of His Son, Jesus, to bring us back into relationship with Him for eternity. “For He chose us in Him (Christ) before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love, He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will.” (Ephesians 1: 4-5) He knew from the beginning and He created us anyway. He created us with free will to turn our backs on Him forever. He also created us with a longing and a desire in our hearts to come back to Him. With a depth of love that I cannot comprehend, He also created a plan that allows us to know Him, love Him, and spend eternity with Him. “Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver r gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He (Christ) was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you.” (1 Peter 1:18-20)

This life is crazy hard. Tragedy, loneliness, anger, sadness, the list of the difficult experiences we face as humans could go on indefinitely. There are days that are so hard we find it difficult to breathe, to withstand, to persevere. Even still, with all the pain and heartache, I am so very grateful that our God chose to create us, knowing what it would cost Him. I can’t imagine not knowing, and being a part of, the joy and peace that He also provides. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to watch snow gather on the branches of a pine tree, to have heard the giggles of a baby, to love others and be loved back. Though my brain has often struggled to see the limitless blessings He has provided, I know in my heart and soul that the gift of life is one to treasure. The idea that when we get to Heaven it only gets better is mind boggling. He didn’t just create us, He loves us. He loves us enough that those who choose to believe in Him will one day no longer suffer any of the pain that we now must walk through. “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the for the things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)

Today has the possibility – or perhaps even the probability – of being extraordinarily difficult and yet, I am so very grateful that He has given me another day, one filled with His new mercies (Lamentations 3:22-23), one that also has the probability to bring joy, laughter, and unlimited blessings. I am in awe that while breathing the very air into Adam’s lungs, He knew that at great cost He would have to come and rescue each one of us, but still chose to give us life.