Welcome to another week of our Everyday Jesus link-up. Be sure to link-up below this post, comment on your neighbor’s blog and share with your friends… Because Jesus is everywhere, every day!
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When I was a kid, my birthday was a pretty big deal.
Well, at least it was to me. (Everyone else acknowledged it but didn’t lose sleep anticipating it for weeks on end.)
My birthday was the only day of the year that it really was all about me… and if you have heard a few bits of my testimony, you understand that “I” was kind of my favorite thing.
I looked forward to the party, the gifts, bringing treats to school, the whole shebang. Now a few decades later, my birthday really isn’t that big of deal to me. Yes, I enjoy it but it sure doesn’t have the luster of day days of youth.
But I will tell you one thing that IS exciting about getting older: Celebrating your baby’s birthday. And thanking Jesus for this sweet little life He has bless us with.
Which is exactly what I am doing today. Happy FIRST birthday to our sweet, darling, hilarious daughter Charis. One year ago today, I was anxiously (and exhaustedly) awaiting your arrival. A year ago today, our lives changed forever when we became parents.
As Charis pretends to nap in the other room (pretend naps– it’s her new favorite thing. And mama’s most frustrating thing) I can’t help but reflect on what a year it has been and how you have helped me to find Jesus in the everyday… From the most joyous to the most challenging moments.
When we held you in our arms for the very first time… Jesus was there.
When we brought you home from the hospital and (sort of) realized the magnitude of what taking care of you really meant… Jesus was there.
When we left your two-month appointment in tears due to the phrase “beginning stages of failure to thrive…” Jesus was there.
When you started gaining weight like a champ and the doctor said you were back on the charts “doing great…” Jesus was there.
When we celebrated as Daddy hung up his Drill Sergeant hat… Jesus was there.
When you made me sweat as I wore you the day the movers came to pack our worldly belongings in Georgia… Jesus was there.
When you were barely four-months-old and we fervently prayed for perseverance and patience as we drove the 4300 miles cross-country to our new home… Jesus was there.
When I battled cabin fever after the four of us stayed in a tiny hotel room for a month as we awaited our new home to become available… Jesus was there.
When we were unpacking boxes and painting walls in our new-to-us house in Washington… Jesus was there.
When you started eating/spitting solids across the room… Jesus was there.
When you took your first steps… Jesus was there.
When you said “mama” and “daddy” for the first time… Jesus was there.
When you hugged us back… Jesus was there.
When you learned that you were “soooo big…” Jesus was there.
As you pretend to nap in the other room… Yes, sweet daughter… Jesus IS here.
Dear friends, it has been quite a first year of parenting for my Beloved husband and I. There have been moments of unbridled joy and paralyzing fear, but through it all, God has used our little daughter to help us to find even more Jesus in the everyday.
Happy birthday, sweet girl. We love you.
Doing the One-Year-Parenting Happy Dance,
“I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.” ~Matthew 11:25
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