Now Arik wasn’t quite sure what it meant to live in Mommy’s heart. He had never heard that babies could live in their Mommy’s hearts, but hearing it somehow made him feel good inside.

Later that day Arik’s family was invited to a Birthday party at the Hayase's. Jonathan, who was Arik’s closest friend next to Casey, was turning four. At the party there were lots of other kids with their families. The Hayase’s always knew how to throw a fun party and this one was the best Arik could remember.

After the party on the walk home Arik remembered that Mrs. Hayase’s tummy was getting bigger and bigger and he figured that meant she was going to have a baby. Then he thought again about what Mommy had told him about living in her heart.

“Mommy Bear”, asked Arik, “did your heart get real big before I was born, like Mrs. Hayase’s tummy?

Daddy and Mommy looked at Arik and smiled. “Come here Baby Bear”, said Daddy. “Let’s sit down beside this brook for awhile. I think it’s time to tell you the story of how God made our family.”

Daddy then explained that before Arik was even as big as a little seed God had already planned to give him just the right family. Daddy told Arik how He and Mommy had been asking God for a little boy. Because God loved Daddy and Mommy He always listened to their prayers. So when the time was right He planted in each of their hearts a seed of love for a beautiful little boy that He was already beginning to create. The seed God planted grew and grew until Mommy and Daddy had so much love for the little boy that their hearts could barely contain it.

Arik listened carefully as Daddy told the story.

At this same time, Mommy went on to explain, God knew a wonderful young woman. In her tummy was another seed created by God, a seed of life that would grow into a special little boy until just the right time when he was ready to be born. Now when the young woman found out about the little boy growing inside her she was both happy and sad. She was happy because she too loved the little boy and was excited that God was creating him. But she was sad because she knew that she could never be the family the little boy would need and that God really wanted for him. She told God about her sadness and He reminded the young woman how much He cared for her and that she shouldn’t worry. God loved the little boy more than anyone and already had a wonderful plan for him. When the young woman heard this she was filled with peace.

© Mark R Schneider