Loving the Unseen

Even before he was born, our son Finn was teaching me powerful things about love - things I had longed to experience. I’m not sure if my heart was hard or asleep, but through my child, God has been showing Himself so loving, good and true. And my heart has softened and beats more wholly.

This is the beginning of how I’m coming to love and be loved by God in a more real way -

Peter was a friend of Jesus who changed the world because he knew Jesus’ love, acceptance and redemption. He once said this - “Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.” This verse popped in my mind one day while I was pregnant and has remained ever since because -

I loved Finn even though I had not seen him.
I believed in him even though I had not seen him.
And I was filled with an absolutely inexpressible and glorious joy.

It was true that I could love someone I had never seen.

Then the Lord revealed something even bigger to me. The reason I could love Finn so much was because I would soon see him face-to-face. The excitement of one day laying eyes on him, holding him, talking, laughing and listening to that boy sustained and pushed me to enjoy the highs of pregnancy and to persevere in the midst of a heck-of-a-lotta discomfort. It invoked me to get ready for my little guy whom I had never yet seen -

We talked about him.
We planned parties for his arrival.
We designed a room with him specifically in mind.
We bought clothes that he would soon wear.
We wrote letters addressed to him.
We dreamed of who he’d look like. (He looks Jeremy, by the way)
We were absolutely smitten by him.

His daddy and I found so much happiness in the expectation of soon seeing someone we felt we already knew well. And, let me tell you, joy was inexpressible and glorious when we finally saw him.

Then it hit me: this is how it is with Jesus. Though I don’t physically see Him, I believe in Him and love Him. His Spirit is within me and His presence is everywhere at all times. He has worked things out for my good and He has held me together during trials. There is so much evidence of Him, yet I’ve never actually seen the face of Christ.

What if the promise was never given that I would see Him? Loving and pursuing Him would be really hard to do throughout life. He would almost become this mysterious, out-there fantasy; like an idea or wishful thinking.

But this isn’t so.
I will lay my eyes on Him and His on me.

And I began to see that there’s this amazing role reversal when we meet face-to-face. It actually seems like He’s been getting ready to see us too -

He’s talked about us. (John 17)
He’s planned a party for our arrival. (Revelation 19)
He’s designed a place with us specifically in mind. (John 14)
He’s bought us clothes we will soon wear. (1 Corinthians 15)
He’s written letters addressed to us. (all of Scripture)
He’s made us to look like Him. (2 Corinthians 3)
He’s absolutely smitten by us. (Romans 8)

I am so thankful that God is working these truths out in me. Love for Christ is becoming fuller and more natural by this understanding.

Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:12-13

Something's Still Gonna Grow

The rumble is low and the heat is high
Got a feeling that there's rain out in the oil black sky
Gonna chase away the devil when that sun does rise
Gonna plead the blood
Gonna plead the blood
- Brooke Fraser, Crows & Locusts 
* Check out her new album, Flags. It's very good.

We Have Ourselves a 15-pounder

We had Finn's two month checkup and shots yesterday. People were right, the shots are much harder on the parents than the child.

Anyways, everyone is always asking us, "How much does Finn weigh?!" Apparently they thought he was a big baby.

And apparently they were right.

He is 15 lbs, which is in the 98% range. He is also 25", which is in the 97% range. At least he's consistently big in both, right?

When I told a friend this, she said he would be a future sport star. I responded he could be that or a future obesity statistic. We'll try our best for him to be the former.

Here is a pic of him at the doctor's office.

 

No Words Needed...

...to tell you how happy these two guys make me!

I Sure Am Gonna Miss Them

I go back to work this week. I have loved being home with Finn and getting to take care of him, watch him grow & change, seeing many of his "firsts" and much more. As hard as it is to go back to a fulltime job, we know this is a season the Lord has us in and there's peace and comfort in it.


Not only will Finn be missed, but there are many more that will be sorely missed. Regis, Kelly, Lorelai, Rory, Luke, Coach & Mrs. Taylor, Smash, Lyla, Riggs, Judge Joe Brown, Judge Pirro, and, of course, Ellen...thank you for your good, loyal company these last few months. You're the best. Godspeed.

Oh No! Yay!

Finn,
Daddy is going camping this weekend. He'll be catching fish, building fires and sleeping outside.
But, don't worry, he can't wait to bring you on a camping trip one day!

To Grandmother's (and Father's) House We Went

This time last week we had just left to take our first out of town trip to Greenville. (Well, we did go to Eutawville for a birthday party, but this was our first extended stay trip.) We had a great time! The weather was awesome, time with family was good and I got to introduce Finn to a lot of friends. I only wish that I took more pictures. Here are a handful from the trip...
Snuggling with Aunt Rachel. He loved cuddling with Rachel this weekend. This is a picture of contentment.

Taking a bath. He was so focused on looking at the mirror. It was a fun bath.
Smooth operator. My dad thought it'd be funny to put his shades on Finn. I thought it was too.
Proud grandparents. Taking a walk downtown at Falls River Park.
Sleepy. This is what a sleepy baby looks like, especially after a long day of walking and visiting.
Chillin'. Just relaxin' with granddad. By the way, his hiked-up pants were courtesy of grandmama, not me.
Football Saturdays. We've loved football starting so that we can just hang out and watch. This was after Jeremy got back from the Clemson game. I was pretty jealous.
Taco Casa. We had to have an outing to Taco Casa for Jeremy and Finn.
Walking with grandmama.
Whattuppp. This picture makes me smile.