Beautiful

Today we went to the hospital to visit some good friends of ours and there 2 day old baby girl. She was born 4 weeks early and currently weights 4 pounds 10 ounces. It reminded me of my little girl when she was born (although at a more hefty 7 pounds 13 ounces). There are few things in life more beautiful and precious than a newborn baby. They are so small, fragile and helpless. Yet at the same point there is something beautiful about knowing that inside that little body is a life to be lived. In that moment when you first hold your child in your arms there is so much fear and worry, yet at the same point so much joy and hope. When I first held Kennedy in my arms, I remember thinking for the first time really understanding how much God really loves me. As I was holding my little girl in my arms, I realized that I loved this person more than life itself. And even though she may be unaware of it at that point I still loved her like I could never have imagined. From the moment she was born I would love her and chase her and woo her and cherish her. I also realized that God felt that way about us and even more. The love I had for my daughter pales in comparison to the love God has for us, I felt so humbled by that thought and pray that I never forget.

About 4.5 months from now Bethany and I will welcome our 2nd child into this world. Until today, it still wasn't real for whatever reason, I knew it was coming and I was excited, but I think being a dad it's hard to connect with the child in your wife's womb. Afterall, she is the one who gets to feel the movements, has the side-effects and gets to watch and feel her body change, while the man is kind of along for the ride. But after seeing that beautiful little girl today and then looking at my own beautiful little girl it all hit me. 4 months from now we get our own little one to watch grow and nurture and love. I remember wantin Kennedy to grow up so fast and every day I was excited to see her crawl, then walk, then talk etc. But I can barely remember that little tiny girl I held in my arms in March 2007. I can not wait to welcome our next child into this world and I pray that I will savor every moment of their life. I know now that although I will be excited for them to crawl, then walk, then talk, I will beg them to wait. Beg them to slow down growing up, because I know that in an instant my little girl and my little 2nd one will be moving out and starting their own life. So I will cherish each day and thank God he was gracious enough to give me my wife and children to spend them with.