Summer had already peaked and its decline was evident. Hints of Autumn lurked without ever intruding the last stand of the sunny days.
I am not the world’s greatest fan of the summer sun and in those times where it is not as prevalent as it has been, I take hope of the impending season. It was around that time of the year that I heard the news of a brilliant development in my family. At the time the Dryden household consisted of the married couple and the firstborn Deborah as well as her little sister Abigail. It was a beautiful household and there were no plans to change that. No plans on our part anyway. In fact there were more pressing things at hand during that time. Our family were undergoing some difficult times with challenging questions to address.
So much for our plans, though, because I was informed that there was a significant development on the way where our family was concerned. Autumn arrived and was followed by the chills of winter and over that period our family went through some challenging transitions. The most challenging our family had faced to that date. All that upheaval and trauma was happening and my wife was pregnant.
Yet in His mercy as we endured that tough winter of settling somewhere new and overcoming the old, God gave us a wonderful gift. As winter began to die out and give hopes of all things new, so it became apparent that we should mark this time by naming this child in like manner.
Zoë Anya-Cheryse Dryden celebrated her ninth birthday today. Her birth represents for us a time where God truly brought new life for us as a family through a tough season of transition. It was fitting because Zoë’s introduction to the world came through tough times especially for her mother. Yet truly for all the pain there is in the run up to the birth, it fades away when considering what emerges from those toils and tribulations.
Seeing that girl now as an effervescent, energetic and enthusiastic member of humanity is a living reminder of what new life is promised because of God. She remains a delight and joy to our household – we give God thanks for her as she completes another year in the land of the living.
(Photo by Jason Leung on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
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