I don't know if it is the same for all first-time mothers, but nothing holds my interest like watching my little girl. Her facial expressions, the excitement in her eyes, her curiosity--just about anything she does brings out the motherly love in me. And one wonderful day I realized that's how Jesus, in His unconditional love, is with me.

As I watched my Ashley Elle sitting up on the bed and looking at me with her bright blue eyes, all smiles, I thought, How could I not love her? Sure, at six months she is as active as a puppy, she makes a mess sometimes, she fusses, she wakes up in the night and wants to be fed when I just want to sleep, but no matter what she does, there is no way that I could ever stop loving or caring for her.

Then I remembered the previous day, when I had felt so low and far from the Lord. I had made so many mistakes! Surely He had stopped loving me--or so it seemed. Then, as I looked into my baby's eyes, He spoke to me. "How could I ever stop loving you? Why would I ever want to stop caring for you? You are the joy of My heart, and I love you. You are My girl. Sure, you aren't perfect and you sometimes make a mess of things, but that's all just part of growing up. I love you more and more every day. And don't worry, you will always be My little girl!"