New life. Today I felt well enough to hold newborn Stephen Willette. Apart from a concentrated effort to keep my emotions in check, I breathed deep.

There’s something about a newborn baby that gives hope and renewal. I felt his warm little fuzzy head moving across my cheek. I breathed the unmistakable smell that only babies have. I looked into his face and saw life. He is potential. He is innocent. He is  helpless not even able to hold his head up. He relies on his parents for everything. He wiggles with discomfort and his parents meet his needs. He can’t fathom the depth of love he has in them.

Met with the reality of my own mortality this year, I snuggled him close and could have easily wept. New life.

My God is a God of new life. He’s a God of love that I cannot comprehend. In October I shot Stephen’s portrait. It is titled, “In the Hands of the Father.” I did not feel well at all but I managed a half hour family portrait session. I was not well enough to hold Stephen.

But today I was well enough. With his warm little head nestled against my cheek, I breathed deep the very breath of God. I could almost hear God whisper, “I have you, Scott and I love you more than you can understand.”

No matter your illness, no matter your struggle, please know that the love God has for you is real. Rest in The Hands of the Father.

2 Cor. 4:16 So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. MSG