Welcome Catherine!

“What think we of Christ? Is He altogether glorious in our eyes, and precious to our hearts? May Christ be our joy, our confidence, our all. May we daily be made more like Him, and more devoted to His service.” - Matthew Henry

There has been a good deal of rejoicing in our family this past week. My granddaughter, Catherine, was born safe and healthy! She sleeps, eats, makes cute expressions, and gives great snuggles to her family. Sure, there have been sleepless nights, messes to clean, tears to dry, and feeding regiments. But through it all there has been significant rejoicing over her joining our family.

Jesus used the imagery of a second birth to explain to Nicodemus that even though he was a highly regarded religious leader and a teacher of the Law, he needed to join God’s forever family. Jesus said, “You must be born again.” (John 3:7)

Jesus also used the picture of a lost sheep who was rescued by a loving and diligent Shepherd. After that story He said, “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” (Luke 15:7)

We rejoice when babies join our families – and we certainly celebrate Catherine’s arrival. But the rejoicing in heaven resounds even more when the lost are found and when a new member joins God’s forever family!