God's Precious Gift
Stories
Lectionary Tales For The Pulpit
Series II Cycle B
Paul and Rosa had tried and tried to have a baby. Their family knew of their frustration and tried to avoid the mention of babies. Paul and Rosa were gently urged by well-meaning friends to consult fertility doctors, but they refused. Paul didn't want Rosa to have to go through invasive testing. They felt they should trust God's will to see if a child was in their future.
Rosa went to church every Sunday with prayers in her heart for a child. Her heart ached as she watched women's abdomens swell in pregnancy. She bought baby shower gifts with tears welling in her eyes. Baptismal services were especially difficult as she and Paul watched -- from a distance.
Their jobs gave them the comfort to buy much of what they desired. The law firm where Paul practiced had asked him to be a junior partner. And the gowns Rosa made had a reputation for quality craftsmanship. Business was booming at her bridal shop.
Yet every month brought the disappointing realization that there was no baby yet. They continued to pray, asking for God's guidance. Then one day, Rosa went home sick. She thought it was the flu, but it stretched over two weeks. The doctor hugged her enthusiastically when she gave Rosa the news.
Rosa called Paul, then her parents and then the church. She had to let everyone know the good news. She and Paul were on top of the world. They had waited six long years for this day!
The pregnancy went well. Near the end Rosa swore her belly would burst. But Paul and Rosa were so happy, nothing seemed to bother them. The nursery was decorated. The dresser was full of baby outfits; a bin held baby toys. The crib housed an enormous teddy bear. Things were ready.
Two weeks before the baby was due, Paul and Rosa were discussing names over dinner. Should it be Richard or Thomas, after the grandfathers? Or Mary or Christina, after the grandmothers? What about Paul Junior? Or Rachel? Or Emily or Trevor or Katherine?
They couldn't decide, yet they were sure they wanted a name with meaning. Something to let the world know their gratitude. They would have to wait and see.
The time came. After 31 hours of labor, Rosa delivered a baby boy. A healthy little boy with a pink nose and jet black hair. Paul couldn't believe how tiny his feet and hands were. He felt so light in his arms! He swore he would never let go of his sweet little baby.
They hardly let him go. They wanted to see every movement, hear every noise, and feel every wiggle themselves. A steady stream of relatives held the baby and bet on whose side of the family he resembled.
When the baby was six weeks old, Rosa and Paul went to church to have him baptized. They presented him to the church family and to God. He was God's most precious gift to them. And so they named him Jonathan: "God's precious gift."
Rosa went to church every Sunday with prayers in her heart for a child. Her heart ached as she watched women's abdomens swell in pregnancy. She bought baby shower gifts with tears welling in her eyes. Baptismal services were especially difficult as she and Paul watched -- from a distance.
Their jobs gave them the comfort to buy much of what they desired. The law firm where Paul practiced had asked him to be a junior partner. And the gowns Rosa made had a reputation for quality craftsmanship. Business was booming at her bridal shop.
Yet every month brought the disappointing realization that there was no baby yet. They continued to pray, asking for God's guidance. Then one day, Rosa went home sick. She thought it was the flu, but it stretched over two weeks. The doctor hugged her enthusiastically when she gave Rosa the news.
Rosa called Paul, then her parents and then the church. She had to let everyone know the good news. She and Paul were on top of the world. They had waited six long years for this day!
The pregnancy went well. Near the end Rosa swore her belly would burst. But Paul and Rosa were so happy, nothing seemed to bother them. The nursery was decorated. The dresser was full of baby outfits; a bin held baby toys. The crib housed an enormous teddy bear. Things were ready.
Two weeks before the baby was due, Paul and Rosa were discussing names over dinner. Should it be Richard or Thomas, after the grandfathers? Or Mary or Christina, after the grandmothers? What about Paul Junior? Or Rachel? Or Emily or Trevor or Katherine?
They couldn't decide, yet they were sure they wanted a name with meaning. Something to let the world know their gratitude. They would have to wait and see.
The time came. After 31 hours of labor, Rosa delivered a baby boy. A healthy little boy with a pink nose and jet black hair. Paul couldn't believe how tiny his feet and hands were. He felt so light in his arms! He swore he would never let go of his sweet little baby.
They hardly let him go. They wanted to see every movement, hear every noise, and feel every wiggle themselves. A steady stream of relatives held the baby and bet on whose side of the family he resembled.
When the baby was six weeks old, Rosa and Paul went to church to have him baptized. They presented him to the church family and to God. He was God's most precious gift to them. And so they named him Jonathan: "God's precious gift."
