Happy Birthday!

I can hardly believe Harrison is already one...or that he's only one, depending on the day! Even though we're having his party next weekend, we wanted to do something special for his actual birthday. I picked up some cupcakes and let him go to town! He dove right in. Lige and I laughed because although Harrison got frosting all over his face, he wasn't about to waste any sweet goodness by mashing frosting into his hair or smearing cake all over the tray! He devoured 2 cupcakes in record time! And because he's our third and not our first, we let him!

At different points throughout the day, I'd stop and remember what I was doing at that time a year ago. The weather today was gorgeous. But a year ago, we'd been in a stuffy hospital room for what felt like forever, completely oblivious to what was going on in the outside world. I remember being surprised when a friend dropped by to see newborn Harrison wearing shorts. When we went to the hospital, I'd worn long sleeves and pants!

One thing I hope to never forget about the day Harrison was born, was the sunrise the morning of his birth. I had spent the night battling it out with God. In angry frustration, I'd asked Him Why so long? Why the need for medicine that wasn't working? Why couldn't I have the labor and delivery I wanted? I literally threw a fit before the LORD, crying many hours in the dark, lonely night. Finally, I was exhausted. After I had hashed things out with God, He gave me a verse: "Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:21-23) Very early that morning, I rested in the LORD's faithfulness. And from my hospital bed, this was my view:

The love of God, fresh and new that morning, just as His word had promised. And the dawn was simply a backdrop for the Cross of Christ, the true, eternal expression of love: Jesus' life poured out for my sin, so that I may have fellowship with the one true God...I'm in humbled awe even now.

May you experience the love of the Almighty God today in a new way. Love to you all!