The Birthday Boy

Today Gabe turns 1 year old. I can't believe it! My wife and I were just thinking about how strange it is sometimes to look down and see this precious little boy and know that he is ours! I wonder if this feeling ever goes away or if it continues to show up at each new stage in life. I think about my parents and all that they have seen in the 35 years that my siblings and I have been around, and I wonder what is yet to come in my own family.

I think too of what my mom shared with me after Gabe was born. She said that when you experience having a child you see and understand your relationship to God in a new way, a deeper way. He gives you a window into understanding how He feels about you, how He sees you and all the potential and hopes and dreams. What an amazing and awesome experience.

And now a year later, I can hardly imagine what life would be like without him. I can only liken it a little to being married --- I can't really remember what my life was like before I met Kaley. I mean I remember stuff but most of it's hazy, that is until she walked into my life. From that time on it seems like so much has come into focus. I love being married and I love being a dad, what an amazing thing!

Son, I know you can't read yet but one day soon you will. I look forward to that day, but not at the expense of the ones I have with you now. I am so proud of you and love you more than words can express, and that I can promise will NEVER change. I pray that your first birthday will be one of many to come filled with joy and hope and the anticipation of the life God has set before you.

Father, thank you for your Son, and thank you for my son. May he grow to know the love his mom and I have for him, but even greater than that, may he know the love that You have for him!

What a difference a month makes...

It's been awhile since my last post. A lot has happened since May 23rd. My wife and I both passed the 30 year old birthday milestone and my son is getting ready to pass his first. I also experienced my first Father's Day as a father. It's also been neat to see God working in the lives of folks all around me. I was just reading the blog of a friend of mine who lives in NYC. His newborn son has had and still has many health problems. He's been in the NICU for over 2 months, and probably has at least another 2 to go. My friend Joe was recounting the gracious act of their neighbors who over the course of this past month raised money to send he and his wife on a weekend excursion in the city. What an awesome example of the hands of Christ reaching out to bless!

It got me wondering how much I miss on a daily basis -- how often does Jesus walk by and I don't notice? Or do I walk by him and totally miss it? What experience am I having right now that a week from now I'll look back and wonder why I wasn't paying attention? I guess some of this is only seen in hindsight, but I hope and pray that God will continue to open my eyes to what He's doing.