First Birthday Blessings

It's hard to believe that a year ago today, in Adama, Ethiopia, God brought a little boy into the world that would change our lives forever.  He was given the name Biruk, which means "blessing."  No one could have imagined just how much of a blessing he would turn out to be.  This morning, as I held our little guy in my arms, I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with gratitude.  I attempted to post a Facebook status that spoke of the joy and gratitude I felt on Biruk's birthday, but instead found myself weeping at my computer.  Nate had just run over to church for a few minutes and walked in on me in the middle of my meltdown.  He said, "What is wrong?"  I replied (in between sobbing and sniffling), "Do you know how lucky we are?  Do you know how blessed we are to have Biruk in our life.  And it's his birthday.  And we get to celebrate.  I am just beyond thankful."  My heart was beyond full, and words, once again, couldn't do justice for what my heart was feeling.

As I rocked Biruk before putting him to bed tonight, I prayed that he would know how much he is loved.  I prayed that God would continue to use his life in the days and years to come.  I prayed that God would call him to the great things he has created him for.  I prayed that he would know how incredibly special he is and he would someday realize just how much of a blessing he has already been in this world.

So tonight, on my son's first birthday, I share the one gift he has already given to me.  A blessing....

It’s hard to believe that I am holding you in my arms tonight.  For the past 8 years of our lives, we have been praying for a family.  Little did we know, our “family” happened to be on the other side of the world.  I still remember driving to meet you for the first time and feeling as though my heart was going to beat out of my chest.  I was a mixture of nerves and excitement.  And then we saw you for the first time. 

Words really can’t do that moment justice.  But I will say this.  In those first moments, we knew without a doubt, God found us you and we were meant to be a family.  Biruk, every time I hold you, look you in the eyes, kiss your forehead, rock you to sleep, make you laugh, and see you smile, I am reminded that our God is faithful and that just as your name means, we are blessed.

Biruk, you have no idea the impact you have already had on this world.  I’ve watched as our family, our friends, our church family, teens in our youth group, volleyball girls I coach, and people we have never even met have cheered you on and loved you before they even met you.  And now that you are here, again, you are a testament to God’s faithfulness, and you are a reminder of his hope.  God is using you and will continue to use you in the years to come.

I know that I won’t ever be a perfect mom, but I promise that I will love you with every ounce in my being.  I want you to know that I am committed to praying for you and to helping you understand just how deeply loved you are by God.  It’s mine and your Dad’s ultimate hope and prayer that you would discover the unbelievable plans God has for your life and you would follow them with everything inside of you.  We are praying that you one day will make the decision to let him have control of your life.  It’s then that you’ll discover what your Dad and I have…his story is better than any story we could write for ourselves.  

I love you. 

Mom