Here in Florida, we’re all getting to know our new little relative, Isaac. Linnea and Adam decided to give him a strong biblical name just like his brother Micah, but since he’s their 4^th child in 5 years, a little joyful laughter seemed appropriate too, and Isaac means laughter. He represents the opposite of sadness, and all of us are thrilled to be in that happy place with him today.

Of course there are strenuous days ahead, especially for a mommy managing so many young ones. I recall reading a book by the Duggar family (19 children) in which the mother wrote that her most difficult year was when her children were aged 5 and under. The oldest wasn’t old enough to give more than nominal help, and running errands, keeping house, and making sure everyone was fed and rested was the challenge of a lifetime.

Today, though, as we study little Isaac and watch his siblings begin to shape relationships with him, giggles and laughter punctuate his home. This is the day the Lord has made, and we are rejoicing with gladness in it. (Psalm 118:24) Today it’s all good: no sibling rivalry, no burdensome errands, and no pre-dinner meltdowns. Not today.

Instead Isaac is giving us a lesson in loving the here-and-now.

As I hold him and look into his brand new little face, I see how miraculously he’s been put together and sense how grand it is that we get to be part of his life story.

On this glad day, Birgitta texted me a wonderful quote from Charles Dickens: “It is not a slight thing when those so fresh from God love us.”

And as I’ve marveled over Isaac, that thought has been exactly what’s been rolling around in my mind but couldn’t assemble itself into a sentence. His relatives already love him dearly, but when a baby joins a family, something else is born too: the potential that he will love others one day too, which is, as Dickens wrote, not a slight thing. It’s something fresh from God.

Although I’m unsure of where a soul is before God begins the work of knitting a baby together within a womb, Dickens may have had it right.

Scripture tells us love initiates with God, so it makes sense that as he “handled” the minuscule beginnings of little Isaac, he steadily infused love into his young heart and soul all along the way. Isaac will be able to both give and receive love in unlimited ways, and in God’s manner of math, that will mean a steady increase in the love surrounding him.

It’ll be love, love, and more love, exactly as God intended. And so on this day, I’m thankful to have been lovingly tutored by someone who’s only 2 days old.

And yes indeed, it’s been one fine day.

“Let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God… Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:7-8)