Jacob

When I think about my son, Jacob, the phrase “more than meets the eye” comes to my mind. This was certainly true when he was born. Weighing in at a very, very healthy 9lbs 10 oz (can I get an ‘amen’ ladies?) he certainly looked like a strapping, solid baby boy! However, within only a couple of weeks after his birth, it became increasingly obvious that something was not right…

His cry went from robust to piercing! His skin from pink to (ghostly) white! He was not eating or thriving like he should. After countless doctor visits, dozens of frantic emergency room encounters and hundreds of desperate hours at home trying to comfort an inconsolable baby, we finally got some answers and to the root of the problem! At five and a half months old,  Jacob required surgery on his heart to correct a congenital defect. Praise be to God…after this procedure he was completely healed and began to grow and develop normally!

Now, at 9 years of age, aside from the scar along his rib cage you would never know the rocky and terrifying start (for his parents, anyways)  to this boy’s life! He is strong, energetic and active.  His ‘favorite’ sports are football, basketball and baseball. He enjoys reading and building with Legos and loves anything Star Wars! He is very musical; loves to sing and drums on anything and his great desire is to learn to play guitar, like daddy.  Jacob has a terrific sense of humor and loves to make people laugh. His most beautiful quality, by far, is his tender heart. Jacob is a lover and a snuggler! The most heard phrase out of his mouth from the time he could put a full sentence together has been: “can I sit by you?”  

Even in his youth, I see a willingness to follow God and glimpses into the kind of man Jacob will be someday. He is tender hearted; which will probably mean he will be easily heart broken but will also mean he is sensitive to the brokenness in others. He is being fathered by a strong, dedicated man of God, which I hope and trust will encourage him to BE a strong, dedicated man of God. He isn’t afraid to raise his hands in praise or let the tears run down his face in worship which may bring ridicule or judgement from his peers; but will encourage and embolden those who share and understand exactly where that passion comes from…

I  know that God has had my son’s heart in His hands from the very beginning. He knit it together, He brought wholeness to it and He continues to shape and mold it after His own. For this, my heart overflows with gratitude and thankful praise!