Happy 1st Birthday, Matthew

To my dear Matthew, on your first birthday:

You, sir, are a true reflection of God's timing and plan.

As others know, you were not, well, expected. Your dad and I said we were done after having your brother Ben. Two boys seemed like enough, but the Lord had other plans.

The night we found out that you were going to be our #3, I was scared. I wasn't ready to be a mom of three. Your older brothers were just 3 1/2 years old and 6 months old. I had no idea what I was going to do with a third little person around the house.

In the midst of my tears, your brother Aaron kept repeating, "Mommy, Matthew 6. Matthew Six. Matthew 6." After some time, I broke out my Bible and looked up what Matthew 6 said.

Matthew 6:25-34

Do Not Worry

²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷ Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life^?

²⁸ “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹ Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰ If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? ³¹ So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

When we read that, we knew that you were to be named Matthew. It was only fitting. 

A few weeks away from your delivery, I received some news that no one ever wants to hear. I heard that I was very sick. What I learned was that the sickness might have not been seen for a very long time, if it hadn't been for you. Being pregnant with you made it possible for me to see the sickness. 

You saved me. 

And while I was facing a very scary and very sad time, your birth and your first year gave our entire family something to rejoice over. You allowed us moments to smile, laugh, and embrace new life.

You saved all of us.  

So, you little miracle and hero, while you weren't in our plans, you were in God's plans.  You have been an absolute joy and ray of sunshine in our lives, and I can't wait to see all that your life has in store for you.  You and I will always share a special bond, and you will forever hold a piece of my heart.

Thank you for saving me, my little hero.