My baby boy has turned 8. That magical age he has been waiting for his entire life, or at least from the age he realized that 8 was when things really began.
Our religion views 8 as the age when children are fully capable of understanding wrong from right and interpreting all the various shades of grey. At this age they can interpret information and are able to form their own decisions based on that information, ideally…. So, this is the age where they are given the opportunity to be baptized as a member of The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Isaac has the luck of having his birthday on the 30th of Dec. Since we weren’t all that keen on him being baptized on the 1st of Jan, he was baptized and confirmed on the 5th of February 2011.
Out of my three children that have been baptized I have learned that the adversary chooses these days to test my faith and in the end my faith is strengthened, but it makes for a very trying day for me, usually. A day where reality is smacked into my face and I realize that we are not a typical, faithfully righteous family. We have flaws, gasp… We get angry with each other…. I sometimes don’t treat my children as the precious gift that they are… I realize that my husband has flaws and that I have expectations that may not be met by my human family in this lifetime. I let the adversary bring doubts into my head and heart by comparing what I think other perfect families are to our glaringly imperfect family. Suffice it to to say that he is wise and knows my weaknesses and is adept at trying to get my focus off the miracle that exists when my husband, who holds the Priesthood righteously, baptizes my child in the name of Jesus Christ.
Isaac, I know this day was not ideal and I am so very sorry. I hope the Holy Ghost was able to impress upon you the importance of this day in the midst of your mothers failings. I hope you realize how very proud I am of the man that you are becoming, of the kindness you show your younger siblings. I hope you see how much my heart overflows with pride when I receive compliments from other adults about what a wonderful child you are, for I know they speak the truth. Your smile is amazing and those bright blue eyes, so much like your father’s capture my breath. You are indeed a child of God and embody all that entails. I love you my sweet boy.
2 comments:
I love this because it's true for all of us. I compare my family to others thinking that others are doing great, have it together, don't get mad, what have you. But of course I'm comparing my basement to their front room and I realize that we all have our issues. And yes, some people are doing better than I am at not getting irritated or being too sarcastic sometimes. But I'm doing my honest to goodness best most of the time, so Heavenly Father loves me just as much! Thanks for this Jen, I needed to hear that other people struggle too.
And congratulatios Isaac, what a great day!
P.s. My kids want to go camping with you guys again. Any plans to go to Ensign this summer?
Congrats, Isaac!
You are a loving, dedicated mother and I know the impatient moments are overshadowed by the love.
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