2.23.2016

On turning 10



My sweet boys, 
120 months.  That's how long I've been loving you {really more than that, but I couldn't do all that math.}  You were a surprise.  Have I ever told you that?  Not that we didn't want you, we most certainly did, it's just that God sent you when Mom and Dad weren't really expecting a baby.    I carried you 16 weeks before I found out there were two of you.  Mommy failed a test at the doctor's office and they told me something might be wrong with you.  We went to the hospital for another test so we would know more and guess what?  They were wrong.  There was nothing wrong, there were just two of you instead of one.  In a matter of minutes, we went from being scared to death to stunned.  Absolutely stunned. 

You two are becoming your own people, but mama wants so much for you.  

Be compassionate.  When you see hurt in the world, do something about it.    I want you to stand up for people who are different because it's the right thing to do.  This will not always be the popular thing.  When your heart starts to break for what breaks His, let it.

Be grateful.   I want you to understand that you deserve everything you work for, but that you are entitled to nothing.  I'm sure it seems unfair now, but I don't want to give you everything you want because what would I be teaching you?  I'd be teaching you that just wanting something means you get it.  You don't.  Life does not work like this.  Name the gifts you have, don't spend time wanting what you don't have.  

Be brave.  Brave is not something you become....it's a decision you make.  Brave is sitting beside the kid nobody wants to sit with.  Brave is doing the right thing even when no one will know if you cheat.  Brave is telling somebody that Jesus is real when they tell you he's not.  Brave is smiling at people who look/dress/act/love differently than you're use to.  Mother Teresa said, "When we judge people we have no time to love them."  Brave is not judging, just loving. 

Be love.  This is God's greatest commandment for your life.  To love Him with all your heart, mind and soul and to love your neighbor as yourself.  Burn this into your mind and measure yourself against this charge.  The thing is, when you love you will automatically be compassionate and grateful and brave.      

As we pause to celebrate you today, I hope you will feel loved from all sides.  If I could have one day with you as babies again, I'd do it in a heartbeat.  I'd hold you and kiss the back of your necks and stick my nose in your belly and just smell you.  
And then I'd want you to be 10 again because I love who you are and who you are becoming. 

Love, Mama  


















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