A Bible Reading: Psalm 139. 13 – 16 from ‘The Message Bible’
Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother’s womb. I thank you, High God—you’re breath-taking! Body and soul, I am marvellously made! I worship in adoration—what a creation! You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, the days of my life all prepared before I’d even lived one day.
A Thought
Last Saturday I accompanied our daughter, Rachel, and the grandchildren to meet one of Rachel’s bridesmaids. Coincidentally Cliona also has identical twin girls, who were born three weeks before our twins. It was obvious that an extra pair of hands was going to be an asset with six small people under five and I was happy to oblige. With two sets of identical twin girls, it proved to be a fascinating and somewhat novel experience, not least requesting four high chairs when booking a table at a Brewers Fayre near Stafford!
When the twins arrived, we were worried that we might not be able to tell Chloe and Naomi apart, and indeed we have made quite a few mistakes along the way, especially when there is only one in a photograph. As time has gone by and we have seen the girls regularly, we have gradually become confident in telling them apart. However, on Saturday, I was somewhat relieved to find that Cliona had helpfully colour-coded her twins in identical dresses of different colours.
After eating together, we took the children into a large soft play area, where we were surprised to discover a third set of twins, this time identical twin boys. Watching these little ones explore and play, I recalled the words of Psalm 139, and marvelled again at how each person is fearfully and wonderfully made. It seems even more amazing and breath-taking when they come in matching pairs! At the same time, all the twins exhibit differences in personality and temperament even from this early age.
At times, all the twins were content to sit and watch the action, and at other times they wanted to be a part of it and crawled eagerly towards something of interest. One of each pair was noticeably more inquisitive and daring than the other. One of each pair was intrigued by seeing themselves in large mirrors, and it made me think that perhaps in their own way they too were marvelling at who they were and how they were made. Two years ago, none of these little ones existed, but now they are almost walking. What a testimony to our great designer God!
A Prayer
I praise you, O Lord, because I am fearfully and wonderfully made, and so are all the people around me, each person a testimony to your wonderful handiwork. Amen.