God loves me
Our precious Joshua turned 5 today. Five must be a big deal. It is the first birthday I remember. Our older kids all made a big deal out of five and seem to remember it. JOshua surely will not forget today. He woke us up early this morning with the sun to tell us he was 5. It was like Christmas morning to him. He was jubilant. He ran through the house telling us he was five.
Then.... he looked out the window. SNOW! Not predicted, not expected, not planned. A white carpet of snow lay outside coating the world! Joshua squealed with delight. "It's my birthday cake!" he proclaimed. "Now, I know God loves me". He continued to run through the house informing everyone that God had sent him snow. He prayed at our family breakfast. His prayer was so precious as he thanked God for making our family and for making the snow. I haven't got things figured out like Joshua. I don't know exactly when God is giving or taking away or what to make of it all. I love that Joshua's default is that God loves him. THe hard part will be when God takes away. Will he still know that God loves him?
I think of John in prison, sending some of Jesus followers to ask Him if He was the One. I paraphrase. " You are not taking care of me. Are you really who you say you are? And if you are.... why am I still suffering?"
Jesus' answer. "I am who I say I am. Blessed is he who is not offended by my allowing suffering in their life."
Blessed is he who is not offended when God does not bring the snow, or the baby, or the healing, the job, etc.
FOr Joshua, I believe that will come with time and with growth. Right now, I am glad that Joshua believes God loves him. It is great to have hold of that truth at 5.
He gives and takes away. Blessed be His name.
posted by Jill at 6:47 PM
3 Comments:
Snow in Texas? This world is going screwy. Well, I"m glad it made Joshua happy. It is good that his default position is God loves me.
But you know, I can look back and see the story behind me and I have never lost anything that I didn't need to lose. When you are in the prison cell, it doesn't feel good. But when it's all over, you understand something new about life and God, something you wouldn't otherwise trade. So what can be said of loss?
Joshua will weather those things really well because he has two really wise and loving parents to talk and love him through it.
The timing worked out for us to miss the icy roads and make the party.
I love Joshua's giggles on the upside-down shoulder rides, especially when the swaying starts and then the leg-eater shows up. One of the purest sounds in the universe.
The party would not have been the same without you, CC. I am so glad you were there.
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