Yesterday, I spent the day with my oldest son, Michael. He has been an absolute treasure every since he was first born! Yesterday was his thirty-second birthday. You know I can still remember the day he was born.
Michael arrived a little bit latter than we expected and was welcomed into this world after midnight on September 14th, 1982. I remember asking God to make him big enough that I wouldn't be afraid to bathe him or carry him and the Lord sure did. He came out weighing 8 pounds and 14 ounces and he was 21 inches long. That's pretty big for a first baby!
The Dr. cut his cord and handed him all slippery and wet to his father. Mark immediately crashed through the delivery doors to the waiting room holding Michael like a prized football. "I have a son!" He proclaimed to our parents and anyone else out there waiting on new arrivals.
Looking back, those 32 years truly have flown by with so many wonderful memories. Actually the fond memories flood my soul even longer. I still recall the first time I felt him kick and move around in my womb. Michael seemed to love it when I swam in the cool water of Pearl Lake the summer before he was born. I still giggle thinking about how his little hands and feet flinched as I swam. He really loved riding the motorcycle too. He tumbled and bounced every time Mark started the motorcycle motor. First, he'd kick and then settle right down as I pushed my belly into the small of Mark's back. I just giggled because both my boys seemed happy.
Last Christmas, Michael brought his own motorcycle down from S.C. He wanted to take me for a ride. You can't imagine the joy I felt as he went through the gears and I held on to him. We both laughed as he went through the gears and then he cat walked it for a few minutes. That same little baby inside of me grew into this glorious wonderful man. God let me be a part of that!
When Michael was born he had a congenital cataract. The doctors told us he also had a tumor on his optic nerve when he was only 16 months old. There was a potential that the tumor could quickly move to his brain and kill Michael. This made me cry a lot when he was little.
One day he saw me crying as I was washing dishes. "Mommy, why are you crying? Are you crying about my eye again?"
"Yes, Mikey, I am."
"Mommy, please don't cry. Jesus loves me very much and even if I die He'll take me to live with Him."
How do the wisest words flow from a babes mouth? I just picked him and his little sister Heidi up. I held them close and prayed that God in His infinite wisdom would use them how ever He chose. Both of our children came from God. They really weren't mine. They both came to teach me volumes that all the books in the world couldn't teach me-only life itself could.
When Michael was almost 12 he had a horrible headache. It was around Christmas time. He screamed nonstop, we rushed him to Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids Michigan. I was sure God was about to take him from us. An MRI of his optic nerve and brain revealed that the tumor was miraculously GONE. Our Christmas gift from God that year was the removal of that tumor!
I didn't believe the doctors. I had to see the films for myself; it really was gone. The doctors couldn't explain it but they did say it was a miracle. They gave Michael something for the pain and we took him home.
That little baby boy and his little sister Heidi have taught me volumes about God's Love, Mercy, Grace and His infinite Care for each one of us. If God has blessed you through parenthood never take it lightly. It's one of God's greatest Blessings and Lessons.
We went with Michael to a car race at "The Heavenly Airstrip," in Clayton GA. yesterday. I Loved hearing him laugh as "street cars" raced each other in a 1/4 mile strip. After that, we all went to a mountain cabin rental they have this week. He said it was one of the best birthdays he'd ever had. :) I smiled, prayed and cried a lot as we drove home last night. My wonderful son is such an awesome, smart and best of all a Godly man! The treasures we find in family far out weigh any earthly possession. God is so wonderful!
"I will Bless those who Bless you.
And I will Curse those who Curses you;
And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." Genesis 12:3 (NKJV)
