Happy 26th Birthday to my firstborn!
26 years ago, you looked like this:
And today, here you are looking every inch the lawyer you're gong to be soon:
I found it so hard to write a post because I am so emotional. In just over a month, you will be married to the woman that we prayed for you since you were a child. Sweet Sarah. Wow.
I look at you and I see a man I truly admire. How you have grown physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I have so many regrets over some of the stuff you've had to go through and how it impacted you deeply, like the lean times, like my PPD in your first year, like my ongoing depression,....ah, so many things to say "I'm so sorry..."
Then I look at you, and hey, you turned out great anyway.
Because God.
Grace.
His Hand has always been upon you, opening doors and protecting you.
My exhortation to you as you head to matrimony, is first to dwell on your blessings and be grateful. Nurture a grateful heart. Never fail to thank anyone who has blessed you.
Second, be teachable. That requires humility. You're going to be living with another human being you did not grow up with and whose habits are different. Compromise will be necessary. More than that, be open to change. Let humility give you a teachable heart.
Third, communicate. Keep short accounts, don't let 'stuff' build up, clear them up constantly. Resolving conflicts is what builds a deep foundation of growing intimacy. Bottling up stuff creates walls and is probably not good for your health.
Over all of these, let God be the leader in your family. Build a firm foundation of faith for your family as a the head of it. Never neglect participating in a church community, giving of your resources, praying and fellowshipping together. We were created for community.
However, never neglect a time alone with your God, to replenish your soul and release your will to His. Follow Jesus' example.
And do love your sweet Sarah through His heart. See her through His eyes. Speak to her through His words, truth laced with love. Touch her gently with His Hands. Walk with her courageously through the path He has purposed for you.
Hey, I'm thinking this could be a 'mother-of-the-groom' speech in the making, eh?
Anyway, my dearest son, in the days ahead when stress might build up, take the time to be alone and look to Him to quiet your heart as you release any and all to Him Who is able. You will one day realize when you are old like me (hahaha) that your walk of faith will be one of slowly realizing He desires your complete dependence and surrender, something hard to grasp when you are young and so capable. And it's only because He loves you perfectly. Marriage will never give you a love that 'satisfies' because only His love can do that.
To be fully known and fully loved.
Father, I commit my dearest firstborn to you and ask that You cover him in the days ahead with Your grace and protection and provision. Give him a hunger for You and Your Word and a desire to grow with the family of God. Give him a humble and contrite heart, a grateful heart, a giving heart, a merciful heart, a forgiving heart. In the same breath I echo this for Sarah, my soon-to-be daughter-in-love. Even as I grieve that my mother-in-law despises me, I pray that you will fill me with your love for her and watch over her family as well. I am so grateful that they have embraced Nathan so warmly. In the precious Name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.
And this album blessed your Dad and I so many years ago. Hope the words bless you too:
Always, with love bursting from my heart and full of prayers and memories,
Your Mom, Sita💙💜
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