Every time a baby is born, we welcome an absolutely unique, one-of-a-kind, never-ever-been-one-exactly-like-this-one person into our world. If this new person just happens to be your latest grandchild, AND she had the good sense to come along on YOUR birthday, February 15th, then you’ ve got an extra special event!

Well, our daughter-in-law sent me the URL (http://www.mindspring.com/~bethmeyer/photo.html) for a site with some more pictures of Milena. As I looked through the pictures, I noticed “Fun Facts About Milena’s Birth”. In this section, Beth lists attributes that clearly came from her Daddy, Mark. She also lists attributes that came from Mommy.

These observations got me to thinking about how much nature (genetics) has to do with who we are and, possibly, what we become. Milena’s “widow’s peak” along her hair line clearly came from my mom and me. We resemble Eddie Munster to some extent! (grin) I rather hope she ends up with my Paul Newman blue eyes, but can’t tell just yet. Her dark hair, ruddy complexion, and night owl tendencies, certainly fit the Meyer side of the family.

I haven’t known Beth since she was a little girl, but I do take her word that Milena exhibits what Beth calls her “sense of urgency”. She did come ten days early. Labor was only four to five hours long.

So many things were determined at the moment of conception: the color and shape of her hair, fingernails, complexion, eyes, nose, ears, feet, hands, etc. The more we learn about our genetic code, the more we’re just about overwhelmed with the intricate creation of God.

HOWEVER, extremely important to this little gal will be the environment in which she lives – NURTURE. Milena’s other grandparents, Bill and Mildred Meador, are fine folks. They love the Lord and each other. Milena will have many aunts, uncles, and cousins on both sides who will set a good spiritual example for her. What a heritage!

In most cases, grandparents don’t get to, nor should they, have much day to day responsibility for rearing their grandchildren. Of course there are exceptions to this rule of thumb. Many grandparents DO end up rearing their grandchildren and do a very credible job. In our case, we trust our children to do a fine job in that department, partly because they just might have learned something in the nurturing environment of our homes that rubbed off and set some kind of standard. It doesn’t always work that way, but that’s what we’d like to see.

In this case, we have full confidence that the nurturing effect will be positive and effective. To us, it doesn’t matter if she wears only designer diapers. It matters that she grow up in an atmosphere where love freely flows and lots of hugs get easily and frequently swapped. It matters that she is given opportunities to test her own wings, while at the same time feels free to share her thoughts and feelings with her parents. It matters that she gradually be allowed to assume management of her life so that some day, way down the road, she’ll be able to pass some of these same qualities to her children. Most importantly, it matters that Milena, from her earliest memories, knows who Jesus is and is nurtured by His love.

Pretty heavy bunch of “matters”, eh? Maybe. We, her family, can’t do anything to change what Nature gave her. However, when this unique individual came to our planet, she came with fresh, clean sheets of paper in her notebook. Those of us with whom she comes in most contact, have a responsibility to Nurture her in the best ways possible. On May 15th, Pat and I will sit in a room in northern Georgia, and, for the very first time, hold her in our arms. I can hardly wait. It will be her third month birthday!

Spiritual applications to these thoughts? I’ll leave most of those to you. As guidelines, let me suggest that when an individual joins God’s family, he/she inherits His genetic code. The part of him/her that was created in God’s image and marred in the Garden, is restored – NATURE. After that birth process, each new Christian will benefit tremendously from associating with other believers in a variety of settings, not the least of which involves corporate worship and fellowship – NURTURE! As the Lord shows you more applications, please E-mail me and let me know what you learn!

BTW, when Beth wrote about “special behaviors all her own”, my mouth dropped open in amazement. Beth wrote, “Since the beginning, she has liked to sleep with the palm of one hand tucked against the side of her head.” I don’t remember a single night of my life going to sleep any other way! Do you hear the music rising from “Twilight Zone”? With her living 2,100 miles away, it can’t be Nurture. Could it be Nature? You make the call!

Next Inside Out          Gallery              Previous Inside Out