Narda Reid
- Dec 9, 2023
- 4 min read

Little Miss W'One'derful

Updated: May 18

Thanksgiving Encounters: A Joyful Encouragement to Parents with Children

"My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you," Galatians 4:19 KJV

Everything is beautiful today. In fact, I have been so happy anticipating this event that I sought to share it with almost everyone. The smell of sunshine, rain, flowers, meadows, and oceans are some of the most wonderful things in this world to me. However, the love for all these things combined pales compared to the love I have for a little creature that God gave me during one of the rockiest times in my life.

According to World Counts, an organization that

tracks real-time data on events and things that affect the planet, there are over 385,000 births registered worldwide each day, and over 140 million babies are born per year. What a giant infusion of endorphins and happy hormones God injects into this dying world every year to buffer the more depressing things that we hear in the news and experience in our lives. I cannot help but think of the immense dispensation of joy that God's Son, Jesus, introduced into this world approximately 6000 years ago.

Everyone with a heart loves the birth of babies, yet no one experiences that joy as much as a mother and a grandmother. The mother because she carried, nurtured, and delivered the baby at the risk of her own life; the grandmother because she preserved and carried the egg that promised the birth of such wonderful surprises.

Last year on Sabbath eve, I was privileged to help deliver my grandaughter, Ivy, "Gift of God", and today 12 months later, on the best day of the week, the Sabbath, I am thankful for her preserved life." If fear had held sway, she wouldn't have been alive today. If ambition was the priority, she wouldn't have been celebrating life at all. If taking other people's advice was paramount, she would have been aborted; If preserving reputation, ministry, careers, and keeping a "man" happy in selfishness were shrines, then Ivy would have been the sacrifice to maintain them. Faith held sway despite the uncertain future outlook. Two wrongs don't nullify the first wrong choice, it only temporarily mollifies it.

God values life, and despite the data that there are over 73 million yearly induced abortions, this doesn't negate the fact that God loves children and wants only the best for them. "But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God." Mark 10:14 KJV

Therefore today I am thankful for two of the most impactful gifts in my life. Two of the most powerful influencers that motivate me to be the best human being...a sincere, sold-out, uncompromising Christian...a beautiful witness of Christ's love and power to change someone like me, deformed and brainwashed by sin and selfishness. The two God-allowed gifts that challenge me to push for success in all the areas that count despite the odds. The unexpected gifts that changed my life forever for the better, despite the times when they also require so much more that I think I cannot possibly give. They bring out the superhuman in me to defy all that would seek to harm them or de-rail their God-given path, while still helping me to raise my expectations from the earthly to the heavenly.

Prayer: Thank you, God, for my little Miss Wonderfuls, my daughter Bryanna (Courageous), and my granddaughter Ivy (God's Gift). Thank you for using them to remind me that along the road to perfection in you, mistakes and failures will be made, but NEVER give up, get up, and continue to be courageous. If YOU never give up on us as your children, then by your grace and strength, neither will I, them. I am prepared to die, if it means by the smallest possibility, that the life of Christ in me, may help them to love you LORD with all their hearts, souls, minds, and actions.

"And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him." Luke 2:40 KJV

Why did I share this with you today?

First, I am overwhelmingly grateful for my daughter's love which has not faded for 27 years and has been a massive help and blessing in my life.
Secondly, she didn't allow fear of the unknown during very turbulent times in her life to make her abort her child when so many others have done so selfishly and it only made their lives worse. I commend her often because Ivy is truly a gift from God and has in turn made our home an infusion of joy, renaissance, and second chances.
Finally, I want to encourage those who, like me, have had a child out of wedlock, or those who are currently pregnant and are uncertain of what to do... or a mother or father, perhaps parents who have wayward children who have turned their backs on God, to rein in hope and be courageous. God is still in control. God is listening to you. Every child is still filled with his or her God-given potential and with our prayers, God is just waiting for the right time to relight the candles of their minds. Expect big things from the Lord! This is what true faith does in hard times. With God, nothing "is too late."

"For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God

will enlighten my darkness." Psalms 18:28 KJV

Thanks for joining Narda Pella during our season of Thanksgiving Encounters. We hope you were inspired and motivated to be GRATEFUL for the seemingly small blessings during your painful life experiences and to God for being good in the midst and aftermath of them! Happy Sabbath! Taste A Little Heaven Today!