And as they stood in her pink room, littered with baby dolls, Barbie, and play makeup, hugging with excitement, I was stunned by the realization that Matthew and Macy have reached the halfway mark. As they turn nine years old today, I suddenly realize we only have nine more years with them in our home. I find myself overwhelmed...certainly nine years will never be enough time to teach them all they need to know before leaving to discover what God has planned for them.
But as I stop and think about the past nine years and all that they have accomplished, my fears subside just a bit. At birth they weighed less than a bag of sugar and now they are thriving, healthy almost preteens. In the NICU, they couldn't suck from a bottle without growing very tired and now they outrun, out-bike, out-talk, out-sing, and out-laugh me on a daily basis. At 13 months, I wondered if Macy would ever walk and now she is a favorite on her school's soccer team. At 4 years old, I wondered if Matt would ever be able to pronounce his th's and r's correctly. And just last year, he stood with ease before a gymnasium full of students, adults, and veterans and gave a speech that took my breath away.
And so, as I brace for the next nine years, I look ahead with excitement and anticipation of what these two will accomplish. If I'm honest, I worry a little too. The next years are sure to be the hardest to parent. There are many new discoveries in the preteen and teenage years that are sure to throw some twists and turns on this road we are traveling. But as we go, these are the very things that I can't wait to share with my twins. And as they grow, I pray that they...
make themselves available to Christ and realize that He can use them for His glory.
love others at school even when they are hard to love.
be bold in telling others about Jesus and His love for them.
learn that forgiveness is more about them than the person they are forgiving.
achieve continued academic success but choose to learn out of a desire for knowledge.
strive for honesty and integrity in all situations.
find friends who love them for who they are on the inside.
BE a friend who loves for what's on the inside.
show grace to those that hurt them.
play sports because they love the game more than the score on the scoreboard.
enjoy every first dance, first date, first kiss, and first break-up.
choose a college wisely and with concern for more than football and friends.
remain healthy and free from cancer, broken bones, and concussions.
love their little brother and keep a genuine desire to be friends with him.
keep the unspoken connection they share as they grow older.
More than all of these, I pray that they love Jesus recklessly. I pray that Matt and Macy come to understand just how much He loves them. I want them to experience the same joy in Him that I did when God gave them to me. Because only then will they understand how they carry my heart with them each and every day.
Happy Birthday Matthew and Macy. I have loved every minute of the first nine years and I am so thankful God made you mine.
I thank my God every time I remember you. Philippians 1:3
