Wow and wow and wow and wow.!

You can go days, weeks, months and never really have a wow kind of day or event. But to have three wow's in a span of a couple days is really a blessing!

Friday night we got to experience the graduation of our youngest daughter. She is an amazing young woman and not unlike our other amazing children but each one has their own "specialness". Our love for each is as deep for one as it is the other just to be clear but there is that "specialness" about each one that keeps that love fresh and deep. Just like the others she has a side to her that is all business. Logical. Analytical. Straight to the point. Focused. Brave. Fearless. Then there is the other side of thoughtfulness. Caring. Loving. Devoted. Trusted. Loyal. We watched over the years as each side of her developed and grew. Each side contributing to the young lady we see today. Full of confidence yet has a little worry about the future. We see her compete and hate to lose then we see her working hard with others to make sure that they can succeed. Yes we are blessed. We are blessed by her love of God. Her desire to make an impact in the world. We are warmed by her love of her family. We are challenged by her love of doing the right thing. Seeing her up on the stage and taking her diploma was a defining moment. A moment when we see the little girl in her step a little to the side so that the young woman in her can take her place.

Wow #2. Noah makes his grand if not deliberate entrance to the world. He seemed to hesitate as the moment got closer. Much like his mother who also appeared to have second thoughts on leaving the safe confines of the womb that she has grown so attached to over the past nine months. But when Noah decided it was time to make the grand entrance he moved quickly and decisively. No hesitation. No second thoughts. He entered the world and the world was changed. Already his presences ushered in all kinds of thoughts. Where do we put the third car seat his parents asked. I wonder if he can catch the ball one of his older brothers thought. His other brother was wondering how soon he can wrestle! Noah, just as Noah of the Bible was a righteous man among the un-righteous our prayer for you is that you will change the world. No matter the size of the flood or the number of people who are there to disrupt your, stay true to the course. Finish what you were sent here to do.

Wow #3. Sunday we talked with Lauren and the question was asked "Is anything going on with the baby?" and the answer was "no". Well he (who will remain nameless.. for a while) at that point had no intention of showing up. They were all going for a walk when we finished walking. Then we find out that they are preparing to head to the hospital! What kind of walk did they take? Whatever it was it worked. Sometime in the very near hours another new life will make his entrance to the world. His will be different. The people in the room will speak a different language then his parents grew up with. The hospital is not filled with all the latest and greatest technology. His friends growing up will be different then what his parents grew up with. But you know, none of that matters. He will grow up doing exactly what God has for him to do. He will be a light to the darkness. He will be a life changer. He will probably try to catch up to his brother in the number of stitches but he, like his brothers, will bring joy to everyone he meets.

Wow #4. As your children grow up and leave, you as a parent, go through so many emotions. Will they need me anymore? What role will I play? Am I being replaced? We don't want to express these thoughts but I am sure every parent has them at some time. We don't want to over step our boundaries so we tend to not be too involved. No one wants to be "that in-law". But when your eldest who you feel at times is the most distant and the most ready to leave the family has his first son things change. Not a great deal, you know have other questions, but there is a difference. Now that is a new little grandson who doesn't know you from squat but has already gotten you tied around his little fingers. Who could ask you anything (when he can talk) and you would do it. Isn't that love? Isn't that the kind of love the Bible talks about? A love that goes beyond reasoning. That goes beyond your own concerns. That goes beyond your own desires? Thanks Colten for helping an old man remember what Love is.

God has a way of showing us His presence in so many ways. From a graduation ceremony where God isn't mentioned but you know that at some point every graduate has prayed to God. From new lives that enter this world in so many different ways and yet are attached with a "specialness" that God gives them.

Wow and wow and wow and wow.

Thank you God for helping me to see another little piece of who you are.