Caleb Anthony Stone Bradford is just over 6 months, I can't believe how fast time has passed. I try and savor every open mouthed kiss, every minute he sleeps in my arms, every second he is still, but the reality is that he is beginning to move! He is a slow mover at this point but always needing to be working out a part of his body in one way or another. I can't help but look to my earthly parenting and compare it to the way God parents his children here on Earth through the Holy Spirit. When I first realized that my life rested in the hands of the creator of life I was like an infant. Dependent on the people that God had allowed to come along side me and feed me the word, the people who helped me navigate through the falls and slips, the overwhelming realization that I was SAVED BY JESUS. Just like we feed our babies, hold our babies, kiss our babies, and even help our babies when they are nearing a dangerous situation, God uses the Holy Spirit to comfort, guide, and correct us. As Stone begins to crawl I begin to reflect on my journey with my Father in Heaven and I remember the days I was on my knees swaying forward and backwards trying to get my body to do what my heart and my mind knew. It took training, it took work and dedication of practicing and failing over and over but I remember the sweetest clap from Heaven when I finally mastered a forward motion of crawling. OOOOoooo it is the sweetest thing to watch this baby boy of mine begin to control the movements of his body, how do you think the trinity celebrates when we as believers learn the ways of moving and shaking for the kingdom? Could it possibly be with a clap, like I make for Stone? I can't help but squeal with excitement for this incredible year where I have finally grabbed a hold of the walker while on my knees and pressing down on one foot decided to take a stand! We (Chance and I) had the opportunity to witness Stone do this last night for the first time and we were so incredibly excited that he was so smart and willing to take the chance even if seconds later he fell. We clapped, we wooed, we smiled! We celebrated the effort and we know that it won't be long before his efforts to stand from his knees are followed by one solid step forward and I feel that way about my walk with the LORD of Lords. I know he would rather me take a step of faith and fall (back into his arms), rest, and then try again until I succeed then to lay effortlessly wishing that change would happen. I have never LOVED being a mama as much as I do RIGHT THIS MOMENT. It is the sweetest feeling in my life. Thinking about the privilege I have being a mother to Cody James, Charlie Chance, and Caleb Stone overwhelms me, excites me, challenges me, and grows me. Right now as I write this post I am watching this baby boy, Stone, scoot around chasing this bottle trying to get anything out of it. Trying to receive any comfort it might offer him and I think about the one who feeds me (spiritually) and the ultimate comforter who has allowed this season to commence in my life and I once again squeal with excitement that I, Carrissa Ann, get to train these children to be incredible human beings in the world and make LOVE known all over their atmosphere!!! There is no greater privilege. Where are you in your season of parenting? How do you allow it to grow you? How can I be praying for you?
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