{17th Birthday}

I see in him so much of who I want to be.

He's steady.
Consistent.
He's not up and down and all around.
Day by day, he keeps plugging along.
One step of obedience at a time.

His work ethic is second to none.
He's disciplined.
He's currently training for a 700-mile bike trip next summer.
When the rest of us are sleeping in on Saturday mornings,
his alarm goes off at a ridiculously early hour.
He's out on the road training and back again before I'm even out of my pajamas.

He's bold and brave.
Lack of experience doesn't deter him.
He's willing to try new things.
Take, for instance, football.
Despite the fact he'd never played before,
he was determined to give it a try for the first time this year.
As a junior.
Sure, he knew he likely wouldn't get much playing time,
but he wanted to be part of the team.
And so he's gone day after day,
week after week,
for months.
Long, hard practices.
Minimal playing time.
But he's leading his team with character and consistency.
And as this mom's heart cheers from the bleachers,
it's about so much more than the game.
It's glad thanksgiving for the work God is doing in this son of my heart.

He continues to step up in so many ways,
whether it be here at home (as he was thrust into the position of "oldest" brother when our firstborn left for college) or in youth group.
As I hear him share his heart and give testimony to what God is teaching him,
I marvel that he's so insightful and tender.
I rejoice that his heart is to know, love, and follow hard after Christ.

Today we celebrate his 17th birthday.
My heart can't contain all the joy and gratitude I feel---
the sweet memories of yesterday, the exciting new experiences of today, the dreams and hopes for the future.
By God's grace, I've been the one to get an up-close seat to it all;
to watch as He's faithfully carried, molded, and shaped our son.
And on this birthday, I celebrate not only our precious son,
but the One who is actively at work in him to radiantly reflect Him.

Happy 17th Birthday, son of my heart.
We crazy-love you.  xoxo