Happy Birthday

In the rare moments of solitude, when I hold my boys close, I love to close my eyes and marvel at the ways that God will someday grow them into men.

I can't help but think that as Chris' mother held her firstborn son, she had to prayerfully wonder those same things ...

Her fingers laced through the same tiny curled-up fists that would someday grow big and strong. They are now the calloused hands of laborious work that have tirelessly provided for his family.

As newborn babies often do, I am sure that his eyes would search for hers and and upon them meeting, find such comfort. With those same eyes, he has searched for discernment in God's Word and found the truths that have guided him as a husband and father who seeks to please the Lord.

Chris, on your birthday I am reminded that these last 39 years were mapped out strategically by the hand of God and I am in awe. Even before their precious lives began, he fashioned our young sons to someday grow into strong men who love the Lord with all their hearts.

While that truth is still beyond my realm of understanding it is a reassuring promise to look at my husband and their father and know that it is a promise to be claimed.

Happy Birthday Chris. You provide our family with the daily promise of laughter and love and the security of leadership from a man who loves Jesus.

I am grateful for the prayers of your mother who loved her boy so much and loved Jesus even more.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

***Chris' actual birthday was March 12th, but this post was lost in my drafts and forgotten during the notorious, "Stomach Virus of 2009".