Tag: newborn

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Some time off for mom

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Leviticus 12.

When we lived in Iowa, a friend went into labor and gave birth to her third child on a Monday. We had seen her in church the day before and thought it was time, even though the doctor said she had a few more weeks to go. The family was back in church for the baptism the very next Sunday. I thought it was amazing that they didn’t even miss one Sunday!

That’s the exception, not the rule. It’s often few weeks before taking an infant out in public. Of course, we tend to be most cautious with our first child. We relax with number two. Number three and beyond? They’ll be fine.

The idea of maternity leave comes out of the early 19th century when many women went to work during World War I. However, God laid out guidelines for maternity leave during Israel’s exodus from Egypt. After the birth of a child, mom gets to set aside other obligations to bond with her newborn (Leviticus 12).

So why must a mother take off one month for a boy but two for a girl? (Leviticus 12:3-5)? The best explanation I read explained that greater honor was given to sons in that culture. A little extra time with a daughter would ensure a close relationship with her, too.

The sacrificial ritual described in this chapter is a nice way of welcoming a woman back into the community after some time away. Everyone will want to see the little one. These instructions assure that the mother will get attention, too.

Posted in Life

Another child to hold

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Jimmy Conover on Unsplash

This afternoon I got to meet number nine – my ninth grandchild – in person. We’ve got a baseball team now. It’s always a special moment to hold a newborn, but even more so when it’s family.

We need these moments to say, “Hello!” in a world where we too often speak a graveside “Goodbye” to those we’ve loved for so long. A birth interrupts the news of another shooting, disease, storm, or war to remind us it’s not over yet. Life happens, too.

Fast asleep in her swaddle, I didn’t get to hear her voice, look into her eyes, tickle her toes, or let her tiny fingers wrap around mine. I’m looking forward to those moments.

This small person, completely dependent upon the care of her parents, will get whatever she wants, day or night, at least in the beginning. She will exert control over her family’s schedule, priorities, and activities. She is the main event, the headliner, Miss Popularity, and the keynote speaker all rolled into one. At least for now.

And we love it. We love these moments. And we love her. We hardly know her but she has captured our hearts. We wonder, “Where have you been?” She reminds us of how precious life is. Not just hers, but ours. And “those” people, too. (You know who I’m talking about.)

Her dad said she started yelling right away, announcing, “I’m here!” We’re glad you are. Welcome, little one.