Matthew, my "gift from God"

Matthew is such a blessing. I must pinch myself 20 times a day in awe of how in love I am, what a gift from God he is to us. We went to church again today, and Matthew went to the nursery during the service which was nice because I was able to focus on the sermon and not distracted by his every move. This was the first time we left him with someone other than one of his grandmas, and I only checked the pager they gave me every few minutes to make sure the blinking light was still green and not red.

I am so glad we went. Every time I hear our pastor's sermon he always speaks right to my heart. Matthew is such a happy baby these days. His life is simple, he loves his parents and we love him, he is well cared for and has a safe and happy home. I see the innocent joy and peace in his expressions and I can't help but know that he will experience hurt and heartache at some point in his life. As his mom I want to do everything to keep him from anything that robs his joy or crushes his spirit, and I never want him to know pain. I know that is unrealistic and I know my heart will break for him some day, probably many days.

The sermon today was on John 16:31, I have told you all of this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. Pastor Matthew said that even knowing God does not mean we will go through life in a bubble protected from trials and heartache, but that when we do go through trials He will be there with us, and in us. I can take heart in that, and know that one of my most important jobs as a mom is to raise my Matthew to know the Lord so he can have peace in a world that will often beat him down, and that he can overcome anything in knowing his Savior walks with him.

We had a nice day with our little family today after church. Matthew went on a walk and played with his daddy and then watched some football with his mommy. Here's a picture of Matthew and his new favorite past time, banging away on the computer.