March was a special month for us. We welcomed our 2nd grandson into the world just a few weeks ago and what a joy he has been! They named him Charles LeBlanc Fowler, which is a huge honor and blessing to us, ESPECIALLY to PawPaw, and his big brother just ADORES him (as we all do)!!
What a miracle to experience a new life coming into the world. God is amazing how He takes a tiny seed and an egg to create an amazing life out of them. It’s incredible to recognize His mastery to develop such a complex human being in a relatively short time. After nine months of growing and being nurtured through its mother’s umbilical cord, the unfathomable ordeal of the birthing process begins. Super intense contractions and incredibly hard work precede the miracle of presenting this new little life, bringing immediate joy and relief to the mother. But it’s not over yet! As a newborn baby he is still so dependent on his mother for every aspect of survival: to feed him, care for him, change him, bathe him, EVERYTHING! In fact the work has just begun with years of love, training and discipline, which creates a healthy well-rounded child.
As I (Charlie) pondered on this incredible miracle I couldn’t help but see the parallel of my own new birth experience in Christ. The seed of God’s word was planted in my heart through some friends, and they continually challenged me and helped lead me to that final decision to accept HIM. Interestingly, for me there was about nine months of struggle, seeking, being unsure of this “religion thing” but all the while growing and learning more about the Lord. I can remember the confusion as my unbelieving friends tried to persuade me away from this new experience. But thank God, Jesus won in the end and I was born again and became a new creation in Christ.
But it wasn’t over yet! The nurturing, training and diaper changes began! I can remember keeping some of my friends up all night with questions as I hungered for this new truth. Kind of reminds me of Baby Charlie and how his momma is getting very little sleep, feeding that hungry baby!
The Bible encourages us to depend on the Lord like a new baby depends on his mother! Look at 1 Peter 2:2-3, Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.
As born-again believers, nothing can satisfy or feed us like God’s presence and God’s word. Nothing can help us, give us wisdom, guidance and grow us like God’s word. Just like our grandson was connected to his mother through that umbilical cord and continues his dependence on her nurturing to this day, let’s be that same way with the Lord. We should live totally dependent on Him. We cannot live, grow or prosper without HIM. He is our eternal source of life, joy, peace and patience, and without Him we can do nothing.
John 15:4-5 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from Me, you can do nothing.
Thank you again for your prayers and help in our ministry. In the midst of our excitement of a new baby in our family, we are also excited about all of the new baby songs that the Lord has given us. We are working hard to nurture and feed them so that they also can grow up and produce a blessing in many lives. In fact, we are planning to record this summer and are beginning to raise funds specifically for this project. We will keep you informed as all of this develops.
Growing in Him,
