I keep a journal for my son, Truett, who is only 2 at the time. But, someday, when he’s old enough to comprehend all the things inside of it, and when he leaves home, it will be my parting gift, simply so he knows without a shadow of a doubt how much he is loved. Until then, I wanted to share a recent entry with you.

On April 3, 2014 I wrote:

Today I’m sitting at a coffee shop just thinking about you and how excited I am to watch you grow each day a little more in the understanding that God loves you! Today and many other days, I feel a burden to pray for you and with you about many things. Sometimes they are things you want to pray for, and sometimes I pray for you and your future with such a persistent prayer and expectation! Today I was reminded of the verse in Matthew 13:31-32  that “the kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree.” Right now you are so small, both physically and mentally. You have so much to learn, and with how you’re growing, I have a feeling you’ll be handsome and tall too! I am doing my best as your mom to share with you little seeds and teaching moments into your childlike wonder. They are the smallest things, like how to share at school, how to wait patiently, to be grateful for our food each day and every day, and how to say, “I’m sorry” when you may be wrong or have the wrong attitude. With all that, even still you are most always sweet. Today you’re 2 years and 4 months old, and you are curious about everything, constantly asking me, “Mommy, what’s that?” and I try to talk to you about everything! I always want you to feel free to ask, and be honest in all things so our hearts, both when you’re little or when you’re 47, are still strongly linked in love. You know, I know that one day soon, the seed that dad and I are planting now into the fresh soil of your precious heart will grow and develop into the biggest tree you’re ever seen. I trust and pray that over time, and in his time, God would show you his love and faithfulness on your own journey. Dad and I are living our adventure, but I pray every day that you would find YOURS and feel empowered and know that we trust, love, and support your dreams! You are a world changer, and I know deep in my heart that you’ll be a leader in whatever you do. You make me proud, and my heart overflows with joy. God gave you to us, and I will never see you as anything but a purely God-sent gift! I love you always. Mom

And this, this is why God said children were a blessing and a gift. I’ll never ever see it any other way.