We have a new baby at our house - David "Wesley" Bennett, our second son and seventh child. You might think that by baby # 7 Mom would be rather ho-hum: after all, she's probably already nursed more than 6,000 hours, changed over 20,000 diapers, spent at least 2,000 hours rocking her babies, witnessed approximately 18,000 chubby-cheeked smiles, and heard well over half a million sweet baby coos and cries of "Ma-ma!" So when the seventh baby is born, having already lost several years of sleep, does a Mom-of-Many greet her new son with a great big YAWN?

Although I've been through this six times before, baby Wesley is the delight of my heart - in fact, I'm enjoying this little guy more than I did his older siblings. There is nothing softer than baby cheeks, no sweeter smell than a freshly bathed infant, no symphony more harmonious than the sound of tiny baby coos, no earthly pleasure greater than watching a sleeping baby's face - first frowning and pouting, next smiling - always inviting a mother's tender kiss.

The Bible says of woman: she shall be saved in childbearing. I will not attempt to address the theological implications of 1 Timothy 2:15 - but it is clear that childbirth has a profound spiritual impact on every new mother. I have experienced it seven times - and the spiritual lessons aren't over when labor is finished. In fact, as I'm enjoying my newborn, I've been thinking about the Lord almost constantly. Pardon my play on words: but, all I ever need to know about God I learned from my babies.

As a new mom, I don't do a single thing without first considering the baby. Whether I'm preparing a meal, running errands, working with the older children - even while I'm sleeping, I am aware of him - where is he at? is he sleeping? is he safe? does he need me? I make all of my plans with the baby in mind - his needs come first and my "to do" list is subjected to my primary responsibility.

Would that I were so careful about God! I must confess, in the midst of my very full life - seven children, homeschooling, home business, etc., it's too easy to rush through an entire day without once having paused to consider His presence - does this please Him? is this what He wants me to do? is He speaking to me? Lately, He's been shouting at me through my awareness of baby Wesley - I am convicted that I need to be equally aware of Him in my day-to-day living.

It's incredible how many activities are less important than just being with my baby and enjoying him. After a good night's rest, Wesley awakens around 6 a.m. with a merry heart and a million smiles. I have never been a morning person so at 6 a.m. it's quite tempting to roll over and catch a few more winks before starting another busy day. But one look into his eager eyes and I'm captivated! He's so happy - and all it takes is one word or look of acknowledgement from me to start him grinning and cooing, kicking his fat legs and waving his arms in excitement - he absolutely loves me! How can I turn away? I never do. But even as I watch his charming baby antics I'm thinking of all that needs to be done today - really, I should get up and get started. Still, I linger. I don't want to deprive myself of these delightful moments which can never be recaptured.

How often have I been too tired to keep my daily quiet time? or too busy? I prefer to sleep a little later and when I do wake up - well, there's just so many things that must be accomplished! And yet, what precious times of encouragement and refreshment do I miss when I neglect my Bible and prayer?

The voice of my beloved! behold, he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills. ... My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. (Song of Solomon 2:8,10)

I have run out of superlatives to describe my son - cute? precious? sweet? a little doll? One look into his face and all the adjectives in the human tongue are entirely inadequate to express my love and admiration for him. I often make up songs - silly songs, and of course I can't carry a tune - but I can't help but try to express what I'm feeling in my heart towards this absolutely perfect little creature. And this creature has a Creator - it completely boggles my mind to imagine how much greater He must be than His creation.

And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise? (Mt. 21:16)

My husband, Warren, is a great fan of spicy foods. But no matter how hot the pepper, his taste buds quickly become accustomed and by the 3rd or 4th taco he's been known to ask, "Did you forget to put jalapeños on this one?" It's called the Law of Diminishing Returns - when a person is repeatedly exposed to a physical / fleshly sensation he soon becomes desensitized and more intense stimulation is required to evoke the same level of initial response.

Unlike most earthly pleasures, enjoyment of a newborn actually works counter to the Law of Diminishing Returns. I have a theory that with each baby a woman nurtures her capacity to love grows. She is in no danger of monotony. Our worship of God works the same way: the more time we spend with Him, the more we enjoy spending time with Him - our hearts do not become callous, our minds are not bored with over-saturation.

In her book, The Life of Prayer, Edith Schaeffer writes, "There is sufficient of the marvel of His creation to give us cause, we who are His children through the work of the Lamb, to worship Him and to long to do so in ways which will let Him know of our trust and love." The marvel of His creation ... that's my Wesley. My love for him affords me a small glimmer of the Creator's great and perfect love - all praise be unto Him.