growing in love

I remember when he was born 8 years and 9 months ago today. His life was as miraculous to me then as it is now. He is me and my husband and he is created in the image of our God. Astounding that flesh and blood are wrapped in the eternal image of God. What do I do with such a gift? Daily I ask that God would help me guide and teach his heart to reflect the heart of his Creator. Would God have given me a son if this request were not possible? As I consider the good and the bad influences of men - those here and now men, and men long ago... maybe that's not the question. Maybe I should be asking would God have placed this desire on my heart if it were not His desire? Oh how true is His Word! "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4 May this word to us - bless our children always and be their blessing to live out as well for their children.

He is eight today, and so I am reflective on - not just his beginning - his life in ours since then - but also the still small moments I have touched him, taught him, and held his heart with mine. Love such love, such powerful love in a mother's heart. Do I fully express this love? Is that the question? No. That is not the question. How do I express this love? THAT is indeed what I must consider....every single day, and sometimes one breath given and one held back at a time.

My favorite love story begins with a boy, His Father, and His mother. In the story it is the mother who invokes love in the child's heart. And it is His Father who teaches Him love's responsibility. He learned well, and He loved well, because He was loved and taught so well.

Oh that God would bless our story. No. Again I've misspoken. Oh how God HAS blessed our story! ALL of us! He has indeed given us much to know - and learn - and share of His love.

"For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations." Psalm 100:3

I prayed this verse for my son this morning. And when I finished my eyes were lead to Psalm 101, so that I would know what Jesus has prayed for - and also died for - this boy to know and live. Let me share it with you here. I am overwhelmed again as I type each word that comes to life before my eyes - and hoping in this image of Jesus through David's Psalm for my own son.

Psalm 100
I will sing of your love and justice;
to you, Lord, I will sing praise.
I will be careful to lead a blameless life -
when will you come to me?

I will conduct the affairs of my house with a blameless heart.
I will not look with approval on anything that is vile.

I hate what faithless people do;
I will have no part in it.
The perverse of heart shall be far from me;
I will have nothing to do with what is evil.

Whoever slanders their neighbor in secret,
I will put to silence;
Whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart,
I will not endure.

My eyes will be on the faithful in the land,
that they may dwell with me;
those whose walk is blameless
will minister to me.

No one who practices deceit will dwell in my house;
no one who speaks falsely
will stand in my presence.

Every morning I will put to silence
all the wicked in the land;
I will cut off every evildoer
from the city of the Lord.



And so I joined Him in this prayer, and thanked Him through tears that He will grow us in His love - together. It is His will - His good and perfect will. And His will is secure.

How DEEPLY profound and intimate is the love of our God. Oh how I pray you know this love! Seek Him at His Word. He will speak to you in a way that no one else ever could. Eye to eye - heart to heart - in the delicate place you hold on to hope; yes, yes dear reader, He is really there...loving you. right now.

mean mommy.

I don't give my children many choices. Really. I'm serious. I know. I'm mean; well at least some may call that mean. I don't. I call it great - intentional love. Sometimes they do have choices. If you were here day in and out - you'd hear them choose from time to time - yes...when it's a light issue of sorts like...well, I can't think of any right now...but it happens once in awhile. And - some may argue with me that perhaps when they're 18 and they leave this house and have to actually choose for themselves what they'll eat, drink, how they'll dress, and what their day will indeed hold - maybe they'll be stymied...but, really? think about it for a moment with me... SERIOUSLY...Because from my own life - my own strict mama and daddy -I don't think so. I chose and chose a thousand times without hesitation of wondering how to...Because it is always in us to want to choose - and to make a choice - especially - ESPECIALLY - for ourselves...Now for others??? well...hmmm. Not so much. Free will is innate. Submission is not. No one has to be taught to seek their own good. We do have to be taught self-discipline and to consider our choices for the sake of others.

So even though I may be a mean mommy to some in this respect, I will still dare say, that someday - SOMEBODY - might thank me when we are invited over for lunch and my children eat everything prepared, or when my son marries someone's daughter and he eats what she prepares without criticism. But let's just say that does not ever happen (i need to remind myself that validation is not the point) - and let's say no one else - not even my children in all of their wanderings in the world of different cuisines and cultures - experiences galore of choosing and having no choice, of comfortable and uncomfortable situations...where they may or may not realize the words I have told them since they learned to hold a spoon... I will still be satisfied, because I have taught them one thing consistent with the whole Word of God - Are you ready for those words??? Your life is not about what you like - but about what is good for you. And the kicker - that I pray they see with all their heart, and mind, and body -... God will work all things together for our good. Even if we hate it.

Thank you, Jesus. Moses. Abraham. Esther. Job. Joseph. Mary. Rahab. Joshua. Jonathan. Noah. Paul. Matthew. Mark. Luke. John. Ruth. Naomi.... should I go on? Because I know more - many, many more; my family members included....and maybe some of yours as I think of people I get to know and love...maybe you.

This life is not about always getting what we like. But somehow - SOME amazing WAY - TRUTH and LIFE - how...God makes it good. So very, very good.