I enjoy looking at the baby pictures of friends and loved ones.  I especially like to view the albums that show the ever-growing and physically changing young life becoming a future adult. Sometimes we see these kinds of pictures as part of the celebration of a life at the time of the funeral. I am struck by how much of the adult is visible in even some of the earliest pictures. We recognize family characteristics and similarities across generations. In some pictures we spot our younger selves. It is often more fun to look at the old photos than in the mirror, although pictures of anyone in junior high rarely get rave reviews.  

For each of their high school graduations, my mother created scrapbooks for her grandchildren, including our daughters. She intended these scrapbooks to be starter albums. They included most of the pictures she had received over the years in chronological order, and included a few of the girls’ handwritten letters, cards and drawings. The scrapbooks ended with their senior picture, and many blank pages for the rest of the story.

While there were no cameras in biblical times, the psalmist must have been thinking of his earliest days when he wrote, “Lord, you are my hope. Lord, I have trusted you since I was young. I have depended on you since I was born; you helped me even on the day of my birth. I will always praise your name.” (Psalm 71:5-6) The psalmist goes on to reflect on the rest of his life and voice concern to God about growing old. If you ever find yourself feeling melancholy or down, get out a baby album, or better yet, go visit the newborn nursery at a hospital. You will smile, reflect and remember whose child you are—of the God who knows your name.

Keep healthy. Pray mightily. Enjoy your life today. Make God smile. And let’s experience the love and power of God together.

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