Happy Birthday, Ryan

Dear Ryan,

Wow, you are 21 today.

I remember so well going to the hospital in the early morning hours because my water had broken.  You were two weeks past your due date. True to your nature, you were not in any hurry to make an entrance into this world.  Late afternoon we finally were able to hold you in our arms for the first time.

I thought you were beautiful with all that dark hair.  You were bigger then the doctor had predicted weighing in at eight pounds even.  At 22 3/4 inches long, there wasn't a bit of fat on that long skinny body.  And your feet!  Your footprint didn't fit on the little card they stamped it on.  I thought then that you would some day grow into those feet and do big things for Jesus.

You had beautiful big brown eyes with long eyelashes.   Eyes are a window to the soul.  From the time you were a toddler you took Jesus very seriously and were concerned that he was a part of your life.  You had heard it taught at church that Jesus lives in your heart.  You came into the kitchen one day nearly in tears.  Looking down the inside of the front of your shirt you said, "Uh, oh, mommy, Jesus all gone."  Your two year old eyes were so serious.  

You were my thinker.  You started taking books to bed with you when you were a year old.  Now, you still pour over the books, reading your books for the next semester on your breaks.  You are a book lover.  But what blesses me the most is that you love The Book.  Seeing your Bible often lying around open speaks volumes of the young man you are.

This morning you said, "I don't belong to me."  You are right.  You are God's.  I have seen you let him live in you and change you.  It can seem frightening to realize you are not your own.  In reality, though, it is comforting.  When you belong to God, you live in peace knowing he is in control.  He can be trusted with your life really much more then you can.

Dad and I are thankful that you are God's man.  No matter where he takes you or how far you go, it will be ok.  We wouldn't want it any other way.  You were His first.

May your feet be guided by the One to whom you belong.  May your eyes always reflect the Savior you love.  May The Book remain your compass for life.  May you always remember you belong to God.

Happy Birthday!
Love,
Mom