My two-year-old nephew, Kadesh, and I have a very close relationship. I speak with him in only Spanish, which sometimes leaves others out of the loop in whatever we are discussing. However, our little world is about to change. A younger brother or sister will be added to the mix this summer.
Kadesh was born about two weeks after my relational world was turned upside down (the shock of a broken engagement). He has been a healing balm, a source of joy and love since our first snuggles in Denver at a few days old, avocado-smeared faces and giggles at six months to help pack up my house, and many memories beyond. Since he was eight months old, I have had the blessing of living in the basement of his home – okay, my sister and brother-in-law’s house.
He loves to come down to the basement to read books on my bed, “fix things” in the exercise room with his little tools, play with cars, empty the books from my bookshelf, type on the computer like he sees me do, or whatever other adventure we can invent.
Kadesh knows that “Aunt M” is there for him – that even if she leaves on a trip and is gone for a few weeks at a time, she is available on Skype or FaceTime and will always return.
Considering the special bond that Kadesh and I share, when I learned of the imminent arrival of a new baby, I wondered if I would be able to love that baby as much as I love Kadesh. And I doubt I’m the only one who has experienced these fears: Would my love be divided? Would I have enough love in my heart for both of them? Can this special bond be repeated?
A few days ago, I noticed the growing baby bump under my sister’s clothes. With tears in my eyes, I can now affirm that my fears have been set aside. I haven’t even met the little one yet – no picture on a sonogram, no name selected, no gender known. But the love for that child is already growing in unexplainable ways.
I am reminded of God’s love – a deep love that is ever-expanding. He doesn’t love us any less by showing his love to others. The more he loves, the more he is able to love. Love multiplies, never divides.
May you feel the embrace of his love and the anticipation of his continual expressions of love in your life – a redeeming love I will describe in greater detail tomorrow.