Nineteen Blessings and a Slogan Not Just for Babies

Babies. They come with new born cuteness, and tiny little clothes with slogans.

They can make the less baby orientated of us stop and smile, if only for a quick minute. I have to admit I’m not one to linger over a baby for too long, but even I can see the miracle of a new born. Only the Lord knows how I managed to raise two children into adulthood. It was definitely by the grace of God they survived my parenting skills.

Last Fall one announcement after another popped up on Facebook telling the world they were pregnant. I think the final count was nineteen couples pregnant (there may have been more). In all of Facebook land that is a drop in the ocean. This count however was for the church I’m part of; still a small number when you consider it’s a large church with many campuses.

Large Churches Need Pastors

Pastors come in all ages, some already mature with growing families. Some on the other hand are young married couples. Nineteen of these young pastors and their wives all got pregnant within weeks of each other. That’s right, nineteen. Not nineteen couples within the congregation. Nineteen staff.

I’m telling you there must be something in the water they are drinking. *Note to self: Don’t drink the water. Not good for me at my age*

Fast forward to May and baby number one arrives starting the deluge of babies all the way through to July. Each one a blessing to Mom and Dad and their families. Each one a blessing to our church.

Social Media Baby Blitz

Photos galore proclaiming each milestone attained.

Born.

Week One.

Week Two.

Week Three.

One Month.

All cute and adorable. The tired but glowing faces of mom and dad says it’s all worth it. The outfits on baby reflecting the tastes of the parents. You and I both know they are not going to put their precious baby in that hideous outfit someone gave at the baby shower. The one they smiled and said a polite thank you for…no, not that one for sure.

I just fell in love with the baby in one of the photos, but also with what the three week old baby girl was wearing. More to the point the slogan on her outfit. Gold letters against baby pink clearly stating…

…Brand Sparkling New.

As I pondered the slogan it dawned on me that is what we are in Christ. Whether we have just become redeemed daughters (or sons), or we have walked with the Lord for decades we are still Brand Sparkling New.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. 1 Peter 1: 3,4 A

We are and always will be Brand Sparkling New!! No more are we slaves to sin. No more do we come under the management, leadership or authority of Satan. We have been bought with the redeeming blood of Jesus. We are His. A new creation in Christ.

Wear/Live the Slogan

Unlike a baby who minute by minute grows older and loses that new born appearance. We do not lose being brand new in Christ. We mature in our walk with Him, but we don’t become old in Him. We truly remain new in Him.

Old labels that condemn us. Old words still shouting in our ears. They have no legal right to be part of our new life. Stand up to them and tell them to go in Jesus name. Take off the old and put on the new. Put on Christ and live in His truth because you and I dear sister-in-Christ are Brand Sparkling New. Now that’s a slogan we can not only wear but live in everyday.

Live Radiant

Helena

Photo Credits: Expectant Mother; Ryan Franco/Unsplash.  Baby: Filip Mroz/Unsplash.

Baby in Pink with Slogan: Published with parents permission.

Graphic Credit: Helena Davies