A Parent's Love

"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God." I John 3:1a

Now that I am a parent, I have a new understanding of God's love for us. I have always heard that there is nothing I can do to make God love me more or love me less. I'm not sure I ever completely understood that . . . but now I understand it much better.

I loved Cooper from the time I first found out he was on the way, long before I met him. He didn't DO anything! When he was born I loved him (even though he had caused me a lot of pain and misery through my pregnancy and his birth). He's cute and mostly sweet, but he still doesn't really understand much except his own needs. But I still love him.

He pulls my hair, wakes me up in the night and poops in his diaper, but do I love him any less? No! He is my child, and I love him.

Though my love for him will never be as perfect as God's love for His children, it is a reflection of the type of love He has for us. And I am so thankful for His unconditional love.

Five Months

Cooper is five months old now. We're having so much fun! He is learning and doing new things every day. It is so rewarding to go get him out of bed in the morning and be greeted with a huge smile! We have to laugh at his "raspberries" and the shrieks he makes as he is experimenting with his voice. It's so neat to watch him study his hands and his feet and discover what he can do with them. He giggles when we play "peek-a-boo," but is also quick to let us know when he is not happy about something. He loves to be sung to and read to and will listen intently when we explain something to him.I'm loving every day of being a mom. Some are easier than others, of course, and some days I am overwhelmed, but I am so thankful to God for the privilege of raising one of His children. Don and I pray daily that we will have the wisdom, strength and health we need to do it well, and are definitely finding it character-building as we seek to be godly role models. Life isn't the same as it used to be. Going to the grocery store to get one or two thing is a major ordeal; sleep is much more of a luxury than it used to be, and talking on the phone is no longer a relaxing activity, but our little fellow is worth it all!