Happy Birthday

Our baby boy turns ten today.

I’m alternately weepy, shocked, and overjoyed by this milestone.

As his mother, I wonder have I done enough?  The fact that he’s more than half-way through the years in which Husband and I are legally responsible for him fills me with a sense of urgency.

Oh don’t get me wrong.  He’s well provided for.  He gets nourishing home-cooked meals, has several sports jerseys to wear, and a comfortable bed to toss his tired body into at night.  He has good friends, plays football with a passion, and is (most of the time) appropriately well mannered. He loves Legos, quotes football stats, thinks cheese pizza is the best, and is happiest jumping on the trampoline or tossing the football with Husband or friends.  He’s getting an exceptional education, spends a week in the summer at a Christian sports camp, and he has a Wii.

Like most of us living in America, we are blessed to provide plenty for our son and three daughters.  But with eyes fixed on the eternal, is plenty enough?

The answer, of course, is no.  Since before the Littles were born I’ve prayed that God would give me exactly what I need as a mother to raise His children for Him.  Knowing that God loves each of the Littles more than Husband and I ever possibly could is the most comforting truth I have as a mother.  But, that doesn’t get me off the hook for getting in the trenches of motherhood and providing more than plenty for my children.

So, what does daily life look like when your purpose as a mother is salvation for your children?  When your mission is to lead them to Christ Jesus, in prayer that they will grow into mighty workers of His harvest?  As our four Littles grow older these questions become more profound to me.

If I could only give our son and daughters the gift of heaven for their birthday presents!  But, the gift of salvation is not mine to give.  Gratefully it is given freely to those who come to the Father through His son our Savior Jesus Christ.  The Littles will have to chose to remain followers of Jesus for the rest of their lives.

So, what’s my gift to our baby boy today? Prayers.  For as long as I am able, this mama will spend plenty of time on bended knee in the throne room of grace praying for each of the Littles and their walk with the Lord.

Oh, and he’s also getting plenty of Legos too…

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.

Impress them on your children.

Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road,

when you lie down and when you get up.

Deuteronomy 6: 5 – 7