It Was September three years back when my wife and I brought home our first child. Like any new parents, we were excited (and a little nervous) about our new parenting role. But within a couple of weeks, we found we had to contend with more than just a new role. This little one cried almost every waking moment. On top of that, she rarely slept. The post-birth checks performed by the certified nurse-midwife who delivered the baby had indicated that the baby was healthy. But it just seemed that she wasn't happy.
About the only time she was content during those first few months was when we put her in front of the television to watch videos. She loved the images and songs. But we couldn't—and certainly didn't want to—leave her in front of the TV all day.
While I found the experience very distressing, I was comforted by all the praying I had done about her even before she was born. My wife and I had both prayed to see our child in a spiritual way. So by the time my daughter came along, I was able to see her as more than just a crying baby. I felt I was glimpsing who she really was. Her true nature was a reflection of God, and therefore spiritual and good, and she had a specific place in God's universe. Nothing, not even the difficulties she was going through, could deny that spiritual fact. This prayer kept our spirits up through that difficult holiday season and the next couple of years.
