Our first child arrived on September 16, 1998. As I held my newborn, a feeling of dread lurked in the corners of my mind. How would I keep this fragile infant alive?
I did not feel comfortable around babies. They scared me. What if he stops breathing during the night? What if he chokes on his own mucus? What if he is not getting enough nourishment?
Soon after I returned home, my aunt stayed with us and helped care for our newborn. When the baby would cry in the middle of the night, my aunt would bring him into our room so that I could nurse him. She did this act of service with gentleness and a genuine servant’s heart.
My Aunt Barb is a rare gem. She became my legal guardian when I was nine, after the death of my father. Even though she had four children of her own, she willingly accepted me into her family.
Jeanette, Brenda, Gerald, Jonathan
Coming from a conservative Christian background, my aunt taught me the importance of God’s Word. I remember the flannel graph pictures she used to teach Bible stories. She not only taught about the Bible, but her life was also a living example of how a Christian should live.
Thank you, Barb, for faithfully loving and serving our family. What a blessing you are to everyone who knows you!
This verse comes to mind as I think of my aunt:
1 Peter 3:4
“But let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.”
As you look back on the journey of your life, who cared for and inspired you? When was the last time you told that person how much they mean to you?
Heavenly Father,
We thank you for the people you placed in our lives to care for us. Thank you for their lives of sacrifice and service. Help us to mimic their lives of faith.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
photo of duck by Julia Kramer
healinghope4women 