I thank Mrs. Jill Harrison Stengl & Mrs. Cyndi Baker who gave their valuable time reviewing my Christocentric Reflection.

Seated in the waiting room, arms on his knees, hands supporting his chin, he listens to the rhythm of heartbeats on the monitor commensurate with his wife’s moans from the next room. He bends forward, ready to spring up and appear at the bedside the moment the nurse in white uniform beckons to him with her rubber-gloved hands, inviting him in.

Behind the closed door, his wife in her pain seizes the bed cover and digs in her fingernails, feeling suffocated as she awaits the imminent cry followed by a soft cry as innocent as a bleating lamb, as delicate as the whispers of April leaves. Her head slams to the top of the wet pillow, forced by violent and repeated contractions of her body. The time has come. A child is born.

In that moment, everyone sees only the newborn. With satisfied smiles they admire his beauty, the colors of his eyes and hair, noting the fast movements of his hands and his kicks in every direction. They laugh when they hear him scream, gently goading him when he quiets and pinching at his thigh. Yet God has designed this child to complete a uniquely prepared role in his planned redemption.

While all are smiling and guessing who the newborn resembles, a separation from the divine intent in building paradise begins. For to God the newborn is a paradise builder, but to parents he is a reason for pride. No one present asks either the role of the baby in the process of salvation or whether he has the ability to complete this role; it is as if God works alone in the process of rescuing humans, His people, and they do not partner with Him in that process.

However, even if through blindness or lack of insight we will not see our role, God, who is the absolute wisdom, love, and power, will not change His mission.

Copyright 2012: Our Lady For Life Christo-centric Reflections: Dr. Tarek E. Chidiac. All rights reserved.