Yesterday I had the privilege of helping host a shower to welcome a beautiful little two year old girl into a new world. Adopted from Ethiopia, she’s settling into a new pace of life here in the U.S., with a set of parents who are head over heels for her, and obviously bowled over by their incredible blessing. It’s a precious sight to see.

When they got her, she was speaking her native language, so part of the process of acclimation has been learning the English words for the things she wants. She’s picked up a lot very quickly (oh to have the uncluttered brain of a child…), easily understanding most everything you say or ask of her. But the cutest is when she tries the new words out herself. Some come out very clear, and others not-so-clear (like any two year old), but, regardless, she seems a little surprised by them, like they feel kind of odd in her mouth. It doesn’t last long, though, especially when she sees that she’s been understood. That perfect little smile spreads across her tiny face, beckoning her dimples to put on a show.

I found myself, later, wishing I’d heard her sing. It’s probably a strange thought, but I love to hear little kids sing. Their clear, tiny tone and unique way of handling a phrase is darling to me. I wonder what it’s like when she sings out her new words. When her parents hear her song, I bet the joy is palpable because she’s singing the new words they’ve given her, words of understanding and love, words of promise and commitment.

She’s singing the song of their hearts.

There’s another Parent who is every bit as dazzled by His children as my friends are by theirs. When He adopts those kids – you and me – into His family, He puts new words in our mouths, too. Words of understanding and love…words of promise and commitment. He places in our mouths a new song, and when we sing it, we are singing the song of His heart.

It’s a beautiful thing to sing those words and be understood.

Just ask my little friend. Her dimples say it all.

“He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.” Psalm 40:3 NIV

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” 1 John 3:1 NIV

“For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.” Galatians 3:26 ESV