He Grew

All 4 pounds and 5 ounces came into this world on June 3.  It was 26 years ago.  I held on to my son with everything I had.  He wasn’t much bigger than the palm of my hand.  He is how I learned God gives immeasurably more than I could ever hope or imagine.

And then he grew.

He grew right out of my hand and onto my lap.   The lap that held his sleepy-self, cushioned his hurts, softened some sorrows, and cradled my little snuggler.   It was the lap that rocked him back and forth, back and forth, back and forth.

And then he grew.

He grew physically for sure. All he wanted was to be taller than his momma and one hairdo taller than his dad.  He always wanted to out us. Out run us at the park, out muscle us in the gym, and one or two times try to outsmart us, and especially at night, always out last us.

And then he grew.

He grew in confidence, in interests, in independence, and even in mistakes.  Here at home he would be present, then at times vanish, but always reappear.  And, by all physical evidence he ate here, changed here, slept here, but then he would disappear.

And then he grew.

He grew in love.  They say when a boy finds a girl, he breaks up with his momma.  This is a boy who wanted to marry me.  Yet, in mere days this baby boy will marry his bride to be.  I could not be happier for this other woman. She is the woman for whom I’ve prayed.  The woman who loves him the way we do, but more than that, loves him the way the Lord does. That’s what I prayed.  A woman who has added to his life wisdom, joy, maturity, experiences, faith and love.  It’s to her that I give my son.

And then he grew.

Ephesians 3:20

Romans 12:10