Growing and Growing

Every Sunday morning, our pastor (Dylan’s grandpa “Pappy”) asks all of the children to come up to the front. He then talks to them for a few minutes about what the week’s lesson is before they go off to children’s church. He usually has some really neat props or examples to communicate his thoughts more effectively.

A couple of weeks ago “Pappy” was talking about the homeless. He asked all of the children what we could do to help the homeless. The children began to answer with things like pray for them, take them a meal, give them shelter, etc. It was about that time that my wonderfully cute little boy raised his hand. I, of course, start to hide my eyes and pray to God that “Pappy” does not pick him to answer. “He has no clue what Ray is even talking about,” I think to myself. As I am in the middle of pleading God for a miracle, the inevitable happens…I hear those unwanted words… “Yes Dylan?” I don’t think the silence could have been louder (or so it seemed) as Dylan screams out “Chicken!” The entire church laughed. My son’s answer to world hunger is chicken. Why didn’t I think of that?

Dear Addy,

After reading your mom’s posts about Faith, I wondered this morning whether we should start calling you by your middle name–Joy. It all started when I quietly opened your door this morning before I left to work, and you were cribbed out in your bed, hands behind your head, binky in mouth, just SMILING from ear to ear. I cannot remember a morning that you have not woke up in a good mood…that’s why I love running to your room in the morning. Other sixdevries.com members may not be morning people (hint….hint……Mom and Ya’ya), but you are always a joy in the morning. Addy Joy, thanks for the smile on my way to work.

Love,
Dad

When Faith was a week old, we received a frightening call from the pediatrician. One of her newborn screenings had come back abnormal. They told us that she needed to be retested right away. I would like to say that I was completely calm and rational because of all God had taught me through the pregnancy. That is not how it happened, though. I completely panicked. And what does Courtney do when she panics? What every other normal “accountant mom” does…balance the checkbook.

So, I went into the office and began balancing the checkbook, because it had not been done in a whole day and it needed prompt attention. As I began diligently assessing our financial situation, something caught my attention. It was the birth certificate application from the hospital. Now, I have heard some say that God speaks in a soft whisper. With me, He uses a much different approach. He yells. He uses this form of communication with me because He knows me very well and has trouble getting His point across in any other way.

So, God asked me, “What did you name your child?”

“Faith,” I said.

“Have some,” He said.

Now, I know that God is never at a lack for words, but it was straight, to the point, and I GOT IT! As we waited to get the results back from the second round of testing, I never once questioned Faith’s test results. God had already told me what they would be…NOT that they were going to come back normal, but that God would take care of her regardless of the outcome.