Today’s scripture: Genesis 1:26-31 (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Melody Merida):
I can remember it like it was yesterday, the birth of my first nephew, Connor. It was twelve, almost thirteen, years ago. My sister invited me into the room as she gave birth to the most beautiful baby I had ever seen. The whole experience was amazing, by far the highlight of my life. I watched this little baby boy make his first appearance into the world screaming like there was no tomorrow. I still get teary eyed thinking about that moment.
Only a few minutes after he was born I had the opportunity to hold him for the first of a thousand times. He was still dirty, with a cone shaped head and mottled skin; but he was perfect. I remember thinking about how special he was, wondering who he would become, knowing that I loved him more than words could express. He was good!
While I’ve read the creation story a million and one times, I’ve never had the thought of Connor’s birth while reading it — until today. The image in my mind’s eye is of God holding, for the first of a thousand times, humans in God’s arms reflecting on how special we are to be made in God’s image, wondering who we would become, knowing that we are loved beyond what words could express; and then summing up those thoughts with a simple, yet lovely statement, “It is good!”
The way I looked at my nephew on the day of his birth, is the same way God looks at you every day of your life. We may get dirty, our heads might get out of whack, and sometimes we mottle things; but just like the creation story, God will always look beneath all that and say, “It is good!”
Thought for the day: Remember that you are God’s special little one, a very good creation. Amen.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.