Second Time Around

It seems a distant memory now the cool October morning two years ago today when Timothy first showed his face into our lives.  As I sit here this early morning, I hear my son stirring in the other room.  He is struggling now with his two year molars coming in.  He has not teethed well these last two years.  With this struggle comes much whining and complaining.  He is proving daily more and more that he is my son.  For like his father, when pressure and pain is introduced into his life, he does not stop and reflect the great pleasures that will come with a mouth full of teeth.  He has not been pleasant to live with as he makes sure all of us know he is in pain.  But the industrial lubricant that drips from his lips and is tracked everywhere in the house serves as a constant reminder of good things to come but that are not yet.

I cannot help but think of how often when I am challenged with pain and discomfort my gaze is not fixed on the long term benefit that suffering brings.  Instead, my focus are prayers that God would make it stop because I have not yet learned the lesson of suffering.  I have not yet learned to say with my ancient brother James that I consider it pure joy when I suffer various trials. (cf. James 1:2)  I have not come to the place where, knowing the goodness of my Father's heart, my first response is to look toward the steadfastness that comes as a result of suffering.

I think it was Corrie Ten Boon that, in her old age, when experiencing pain got to the point of praying, "Father, please don't let me waste this suffering!"  She understood, more than most, the value of pain in life and the growth that it brings.  A dear friend of mine who struggled with chronic back pain once told me that pain and suffering will either make you better or bitter.  Far too often, the latter is my first response.  But thankful, my patient Father lovingly teaches me that just as His only Son endured unfathomable suffering, he did so for the benefit of my fellowship with my heavenly Father.

So, as I consider the future turmoil in these uncertain days which will no doubt bring much pain and challenge, my prayer this morning  for my son's second birthday is that I may teach him to suffer well and that will do this by example...

"Thank you Father for the blessing of another year with my son.  May he grow to trust you by the trust he sees in me when you bring hard times into my life."

Happy Second Birthday Timo, my little big man!

Happy Birthday, Little-Big Man!

It is hard to believe that one year ago today, we started a harrowing journey and test of our faith.  About this time one year ago, Timothy popped out in his own time and said howdy to the world.  He is now big and healthy.

We were going to change his name to "paper weight," but have decided that "snail" seems to fit better given the slime-trail of drool he leaves behind him wherever he goes.  He is not-so-little anymore.  What started out as an underweight boy struggling for life, is now a healthy, strapping big boy a little ahead of the curve.

This year has shown us why birthin' babies is for the young.  I praise God for the wisdom and perspective that comes from being an older than most father, but I sure wish I had the stamina that I did only a few years ago.  Timothy has stretched us mentally and physically and we stay in the land of weariness most of the time.

He is very different from his sisters.  Even from birth, I could tell he was all boy: louder, more active, tougher, more head-strong and demanding.  And over the past year, I have caught myself getting frustrated, as most parents do, with my little-big man who is not so little any more.   The Holy Spirit reminds me of what different direction things could have taken.  God has blessed us with one full year to enjoy with Timothy.  When so many on birthdays grieve that their precious ones are in the arms of the Father and must wait to see them.

Today I will glorify my God and Savior.  His gift of my son has changed my life for the better.  Even when there have been, and will be, days that I was not quick to count my blessings.  I pray that you will join me in doing so as well.  I looked back and read my blog this morning as well as Psalm 34 that carried me through one of the hardest weeks of my life.  In the light of the weeks to come with many challenges and new tests of faith in light of our upcoming move back to Texas, here is the verse God gave me today.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the LORD delivers him out of them all.
(Psalm 34:19 ESV)

You've come a long way baby!

This week marks 8 weeks since Timothy was born. His body was frail and weak. He was on medication to help him overcome infection that could have taken his life.

The past weeks have been filled with adjustment. Adjustment to lack of sleep for us due to nighttime feedings. Adjustment for the girls of sharing mommy's and daddy's time. Adjustment for daddy sharing mommy with another demanding little man. But in spite of this "interruption" of our lives, we had extra reason to be thankful this thanksgiving holiday.

We know that Timothy's story could have ended quite differently. It was only the grace of God that allowed our son to live, when so many had to say goodbye. A friend gave us a present for Timothy that had a card that said, "Children are a blessing from the Lord..." on the inside it read, "remember that at 3:30am!" He was and still is God's child. Timothy is now, as we call him, "fat and happy" as this picture shows. He is outgrowing his newborn clothes and moving into 3 months size. He is now beginning to smile and coo. Melody almost had him giggling this morning.

I just wanted to make a short post to once again, thank everyone for their prayers. We look forward to seeing in what way Timothy's story will be for God's glory!

Time flies...

It is amazing that Timothy was born two weeks ago today. So much has happened since that day, and we are settling into a new routine of nighttime feedings and all that you should come to expect with the addition of a newborn to your household. And yet, there is a richness of enjoying even the more trying parts of parenting a newborn-- given the previous week's experiences.

Funny, too often, it takes a trauma or a near miss to stop and count the blessings. I pray that today you will hug a friend's neck more closely, play a game with your child. Snuggle with your spouse. Sing more fervently in church.

Regardless what "mundane" tasks you may have today, I pray that you will enjoy even the challenges all the more. They are all a gift form God. Have a blessed day!

Be it ever so humble...

We are all finally home together. It has been a long week filled with tears and joy. Thank you again for the innumerable prayers that we lifted up. What an awesome legacy, Timothy already has!

It's Official!

We are heading home today! We'll jump thru' their hoops and then load up. God is so awesome!

Psalm 34:2,

²My soul makes its boast in the LORD;
let the humble hear and be glad.

Rejoice with us friends and family to declare the glory of God. May TImothy's story always be to God's glory.