I recently wrote to a family in India whose newborn was diagnosed with Hydrocephylus. Not expected to live BABY HANAH IS CELEBRATING HER FIRST BIRTHDAY! Many are suffering with heartbreaking situations, so you may be encouraged by what I wrote this family.


Happy Birthday Hanah, and God's Blessings upon Mom & Dad, Lena and Malka. I am glad for you at the way God has provided and cared for you during this time of joy and difficulty. His Presence will comfort and strengthen you for the days ahead.

The Bible gives this encouraging word in the life of Jesus: And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them. (Mark 10:16)

We may never know the many times that Jesus took Baby Hanah in His arms over these past 12 months to cradle and watch over.

Look at our hands. They are a necessary part of our lives and livelihood. They are given in token of friendship and used in embracing. Jesus used His hands to become friends with, and embrace children.

A blessing was a public declaration of a favored status with God. The blessing also endowed power for prosperity and success. In all cases, the blessing served as a guide and motivation to pursue a course of life within the blessing.

In other words Jesus speaks a word of favor, of goodness, of direction and purpose into the life of Baby Hanah.

O Baby Hanah, you are blessed by Jesus Christ! Let's sing: Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong, they are weak, but He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves Hanah! Yes, Jesus loves Hanah! Yes, Jesus loves Hanah! The Bible tells me so!

And for Lena and Malka, there is another wonderful story in the Bible of a mother, a parent, who though not of the family of faith, came to Jesus out of desperate concern for her daughter, who was demon possessed. She was a Gentile, an outsider to the Jewish people. But she had faith in the Messiah of God's people. And so she cried for His mercy.

At first Jesus did not answer. Aware of her own inadequacies she knelt in the dust and pleaded, Lord, help me! Jesus chose to test this parent's faith in the extent of His mercy. Jesus saw that she believed His mercy could stretch all the way to her! She passed the test. She asked but for a crumb of mercy, she received much, much more - the healing of her daughter and a new beginning in life! (Matthew 15:21-28) How extraordinarily good Jesus is!!

Wherever there is simple faith in Jesus, divine mercy is extended. This is the good news that every burdened, anxious parent needs to hear and can receive. God bless you, Lena and Malka.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ONE AND ALL!

Albert Kienle