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.