What Is It about a Baby?

We have a new baby at our house! Well, actually she is four months old, and she's not our baby, but we are going to be babysitting her every Monday for the next few months while her mommy works. Babies are not new to our house, but it has been a while.

Just a few minutes after she arrived this morning, I received a phone call from my dad saying that my cousin who is only a few days younger than me has had a severe stroke. Those kinds of telephone calls are always very sobering.

Less than half an hour later, my wife received a call from one of the widow ladies at church who needed her help for a little while this morning. When she scurried out the door I was left with our 9 and 10 year old grandsons who needed breakfast, and a four-month-old baby girl who has not yet learned to do for herself.

About the time I got the boys' breakfast, our new guest let me know that she was interested in my attention. We walked the living room floor for a few minutes before I sat down on the rocking chair. As I was bouncing her and chatting with her I found myself completely lost in that moment.

What is it about a baby that captures our fancy and makes us forget the sobering phone calls and the urgency of breakfast? Is it simply the wonder of life? Is it complete innocence of the little one? Is it the serenity of one who trusts you so completely?

I don't know the answers to those questions, but I'm really glad that young lady was able to fall asleep in my arms, and that for those few minutes I didn't have a worry in the world.