On my mind...

I just hit publish on a little update about Palmer.  And it got me thinking.

I NEVER ever want to publish an update that might make it seem like our life or our children are perfect.  I want my words and actions to build others up and never leave anyone feeling discouraged.  This blog is mostly my family "scrapbook" but I hope it is an encouragement to anyone who might stop by for a visit.

I praise the Lord because both Beau and Palmer are fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of Christ.  They are uniquely made and add such joy to our lives!

I can't seem to articulate this the way that I am trying.

Let me put it bluntly with a random example.  Just because I said that Palmer is a great eater, doesn't mean that you should be discouraged if your child isn't a great eater.  Do you get what I am trying to say?   Just like adults, all children are individuals that develop on their own timelines!

Hmmm....let me see if I can give another example.

This weekend, we wanted to do a fun Christmas activity.  So I thought of lots of options around town...the Pink Pig, the Botanical Gardens, Stone Mountain, etc.  All of these attractions are well known around Atlanta for their fun holiday activities.  However, as Raleigh and I thought through each one, we realized that little Beau would not really enjoy them.  He does not care for Santa.  As in he will not get within 100 yards of him!  So we decided that our holiday activity would be to stay home and make Christmas cookies together.  And it was perfect!

I am still not really explaining myself well, but I just want to say that each child is a gift...just as they are.  Each child is born with their own set of likes and dislikes.  Their own set of strengths and areas where they can grow.  Sweet Beau is 3 1/2 and knows all of his letters and sounds but I have hit a wall trying to teach him his colors.  His directional memory is better than mine (he knows if we have made a wrong turn, when we are going to pass water on a certain route, etc) but he can't always get his words out like he might want.  He has strengths and areas where he can grow, just like all children.

But, here is the amazing part!  We are reminded in 2 Corinthians 12:9 that God's grace is sufficient! But wait, it gets better!  His power is made perfect in weakness!  When we are weak, HE IS STRONG!  Our areas of weakness can become the areas where God is most magnified and glorified!  Imagine that!

I obviously have no idea what God has in store for Beau and Palmer, but sometimes I wonder if God will use Beau's speech delay and turn it around to be the thing that God uses to bring himself the most glory.  Beau's foster mom mentioned that she thought Beau was going to be pastor.  Wouldn't it be so amazing if Beau's weakness, expressive language, turned out to be the thing God used to bring himself the most glory.  I mean a pastor's main tool is speech.  

So...all this to say.  If you have a child who meets and exceeds worldly expectations, praise God! God is good in that! If you have a child who needs an extra boost, praise God! God is good in that! If you have a child that excels in sports, praise God! If you have a child that excels in music, praise God! If you have a child with a huge capacity to love, praise God! God is good and worthy to be praised.  He designs his children in unique ways, all for his glory!

I hope whenever you stop by this blog you feel encouraged, and never discouraged.  Each child is a treasure!