POMP & CIRCUMSTANCE

I pinched myself and realized/accepted that the child L and I dropped off at this daycare center approximately 5 years ago, - crying and experiencing extreme separation anxiety (oh, that was Me.) - was now graduating, and we are moving on to a brand new phase of life.

It was a short, sweet, sentimental ceremony (try saying that, really fast three times). Through song they encouraged each other to stay strong and do their very best in everything. Through poetry we were reminded of all they had learned through play over their pre-school years and how they were molded in some way by each and every relationship and each and every interaction. For C I can say that he was not just "molded" or "formed," he was "enriched." Most of our experiences were positive. He was surrounded by people who genuinely loved him and spoke nothing but positive, life giving words to him since he was a baby. Now, he is a happy, smart, self-assured and tremendously loving child who makes the most of each day.

L and I were moved beyond belief and after putting the kids down on Friday night, we talked at length about the past five years. Earlier in the week, as L worked to make sure the video camera was properly powered, accessorized and ready to go we paused to watch some footage of years gone by. This was the basis of our Friday night walk down memory lane. We laughed until we cried at some things, we were misty-eyed about other things and pondered the really tough times of child rearing, so far.

The rough and tough times have been many and though they seemed so very difficult in those moments, they did not define us. In fact, today the details around some of those "low" moments have become somewhat fuzzy and it takes both of us to get ALL the details exactly right. Like: Exactly how long was he hospitalized with RSV? or When he was taken to the pediatrician's office to get that very smelly eraser fished out, was it from his ear or his nose? It turns out that it was TWO separate instances, making the correct answer "BOTH!" My, goodness!

Through it all, it was those "valley" moments that give us the wellspring of what we feel in our hearts today - appreciation, thankfulness and assurance that God is always near. Always. I remember, when C became ill and was hospitalized L's mom just happened to be visiting and she just happened to bring a good friend of their family along. When L and I were distraught that C's condition did not seem to be improving, we learned that the family friend was a mighty prayer warrior. She stood by C's bedside and prayed God's word back to Him and within hours God began to restore C's health. O, He is sovereign! Reflecting this weekend has given us joy and most importantly the right frame of mind in which to move forward: by faith and and not by sight, trusting God in every situation. No matter what hard times we face, we know that in the end they will all work together for our good and "God is so much God," that he can reduce mountains to mere "fuzzy" memories and minor bumps in the road so we can focus on the joy in our journey.


"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV)