A NEW-BORN CHILD
A new-born child, in all his frailty and helplessness is loved by all,
Even though he is totally selfish. His own needs are all that count.
And he rewards his carers with delightful smiles which captivate their hearts.
As he grows, he still sees himself as the centre of the world
Upon whom his friends and family dote,
And he still expects those who love him to be his servants,
Always available, aiming to please.
But gradually each child must see himself as one of many in the world.
All children have special needs - to be valued, cherished, loved by others,
And in time each of us learn to take our place - among our family,
Our friends, those with whom we work.
Perhaps we only understand our own selfishness when we become parents ourselves
And experience the constant demands and loving sacrifice in meeting our children's needs.
And what of our relationship with God?
He sees each of us as His own child.
He heaps His love upon us in such profusion, we find it hard to comprehend it.
And He has love large and deep enough for the thousands and thousands
of people yet to acknowledge His parenthood.
As we grow in faith, we find we want to share His gifts with everyone,
And tell friends and strangers about the way He fathers us.
To be a parent is at the same time the most demanding and satisfying thing we do,
Requiring the giving of ourselves for our children.
To think of God, our parent, parent of all people, giving Himself for us -
"Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all!"“
A new-born child, in all his frailty and helplessness is loved by all,
Even though he is totally selfish. His own needs are all that count.
And he rewards his carers with delightful smiles which captivate their hearts.
As he grows, he still sees himself as the centre of the world
Upon whom his friends and family dote,
And he still expects those who love him to be his servants,
Always available, aiming to please.
But gradually each child must see himself as one of many in the world.
All children have special needs - to be valued, cherished, loved by others,
And in time each of us learn to take our place - among our family,
Our friends, those with whom we work.
Perhaps we only understand our own selfishness when we become parents ourselves
And experience the constant demands and loving sacrifice in meeting our children's needs.
And what of our relationship with God?
He sees each of us as His own child.
He heaps His love upon us in such profusion, we find it hard to comprehend it.
And He has love large and deep enough for the thousands and thousands
of people yet to acknowledge His parenthood.
As we grow in faith, we find we want to share His gifts with everyone,
And tell friends and strangers about the way He fathers us.
To be a parent is at the same time the most demanding and satisfying thing we do,
Requiring the giving of ourselves for our children.
To think of God, our parent, parent of all people, giving Himself for us -
"Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all!"“