With much anticipation the Lord Jesus made His way down the glimmering corridor of the maternity ward at the local hospital. This was the part He liked best. With the gift of foreknowledge reigning supreme in His spirit He was able to look into the future and see the decisions these little darlings would make in response to the call on their lives. Knowing this, He had come to bestow on these precious lambs the gifts and anointing that would allow each one to do that which they had been appointed to do long ago before the creation of the world.
It had been a busy night. Five births had taken place over the span of a few short hours and now they were each lined up side by side behind the viewing glass for all to see. The gift of life. This, Jesus thought, was the greatest miracle of all. Yes, He had created the splendor of the mountains and the glory of the stars but as He looked down at the little pink faces before Him He knew that nothing could compare to this. He remembered when He had walked the earth and at one time said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” He then laid hands on them and departed on His way. Today He had come to do the same.
The first child He came to was a little boy who was fast asleep and Jesus noticed that a toy rattle had been placed in the youngster’s small hand. “Matthew Robert,” He said, “you will grow up to be an anointed musician and you will use your gift to lead thousands of people into My presence. My people are to enter My courts with praise and they will look to you to show them how to do so. Your anointing will be great and as you keep your heart focused on Me you will escape the deadly snare that awaits anyone who enters into the world of secular music. “Go, My child, and fulfill the call on your life.” Jesus then reached out His right hand and as it passed through the glass window He placed it on the young child’s head. He was pleased for He knew the call would be fulfilled.
The next child was wearing a pink little dress and she also was sleeping peacefully. Jesus noticed that a children’s Bible had been placed next to her and on the cover was a picture of Himself holding a little girl on His lap. With great joy He said, “Jessica Renee, you will be an anointed preacher of My Word. You will be known around the world and millions of people will be brought into the kingdom as a result of your ministry.” He picked up the red covered Bible and turning to the book of Joshua said, “As I said to Joshua so now I say to you, ‘This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.’” He then closed the Book and placed it back beside the sleeping child. Placing His hand on her head He said, “Go, My child, and fulfill the call on your life.”
Jesus turned to face the middle child and He stood in saddened silence for what seemed like an eternity. Little Butch Michael was turning restlessly in his sleep and his tiny little hands were clinched together into miniature fists. In almost a whisper the Lord spoke, “Butch Michael, the call on your life is great. Many children being born this very day await the message that you have been called to give. You will learn of Me early. Your older sister will sit you on her lap and read to you stories from My written Word. In time your heart will grow cold and you will trade your devotion to Me to that of an inner-city street gang. At the early age of 16 you will die in a knife fight as you try to defend the honor of those who care nothing about you.” Having no more to say He still reached out His right hand and touching the troubled child’s head said, “Be blessed, My child.” He then turned to the next child.
Tiny Ray Allen was engulfed in a peaceful sleep unlike the child before him and looked as if he didn’t have a care in the world. In truth, he didn’t and would one day learn to cast all his cares onto the Lord. His short little arms were stretched out sideways from his small body and it reminded Jesus of how many years ago He had stretched out His own arms on Calvary’s tree and gave His life as a ransom for many. His eyes began to water and when Jesus raised His head He saw in the viewing glass a single tear running down His cheek. He knew that little Ray Allen would one day pay the ultimate price for his love and service to the Lord. He would give his life for the sake of the gospel and after spending many years in a North Korean prison cell would die a martyr’s death. Knowing this Jesus whispered these words, “Greater love hath no man than he lay down his life for the brethren.”
He would not have young Ray Allen die in vain and as the child slept on Jesus made him this promise, “Before you come home I will arrange for a South Korean prisoner to come in contact with you. You will tell him about Me and I will cause a Holy Spirit fire to burn in his heart. As a result I will cause him to be released from prison and a mighty revival will spread through-out the Asian community and to the utter most parts of the earth. All this, Ray Allen, is because you obeyed that which I called you to do.” Jesus then reached out His hand and touched the child on the head saying these words, “Go, My child, and fulfill the call on your life.” He turned to leave but stopped and said one more thing, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of the Lord.”
Because of the sacrifice young Ray Allen would make Jesus was determined that the final child would receive an extra special blessing that would surpass all the others. Stepping before the last child Jesus was pleased to see that little Anne Marie was the only one of the five who was awake. She looked up at the stranger in front of her with a twinkle in her pretty brown eyes and a glow on her face. Jesus noticed that she was wearing a pure white dress with yellow smiley faces all over it. With a heart of compassion Jesus spoke these words, “As you have looked upon Me, so shall I look upon you all the days of your life. Also, I will cause others to look upon you as well. To draw them to you I will bless you with a heavenly smile that will reveal the glory that you have in Me. It will cause your face to radiate like the sun shining in all it’s strength and majesty. It will open up doors of communication that words cannot. People will be drawn to you as they seek the same joy that is written all over your face. Always be ready to tell them that I am the source of your joy. You may ask Me one day, ‘Is a smile all I get?’ to which I will reply, ‘That is all you’ll need.’’’
Little Anne Marie giggled her approval and this caused Jesus to raise His nail-scarred hand to wipe away the single tear from off His face. He reached down with both hands and took the child from her resting place and held her close to His bosom. Speechless, Jesus stood and watched the child as she quickly felt the warmth and security of being in the Master’s loving arms. “Little Anne Marie,” Jesus whispered, “in My arms is where you’ll always be.” He smiled as the child reached up and touched His soft beard giggling as if she understood every word that was being spoken. He kissed her gently on the forehead and said assuredly, “As you have made Me smile, so shall you make others smile as well.” Laying the child back down He whispered, “Go back to sleep, My child. Rest assured, your future is bright. ‘How bright?’ you ask. As bright as your smile.”
Young Anne Marie with the pretty brown eyes then turned her head and moments later was fast asleep. Jesus began to leave but before doing so He took one last glance at His beautiful daughter as she lay in peaceful slumber. He noticed that, sure enough, there was a heavenly smile upon her face. He nodded His approval and this time both His eyes began to shed tears, not of sorrow but of great joy. These tears He would not wipe away. A heavenly smile came upon His face as He spoke these final words, “Well done, My child. Yes, well done. You have learned well. Your smile is a gift from Me. Use it often.” With that He walked away knowing He would return on the day when she would ask Him to come live inside her heart. For that moment He could not wait.
