Clay Robert – 8 Years Old
Dear Clay,
Happy 8th birthday! I cannot believe you are 8 years old already! I am so proud of the young man you are and I love you more than you will ever know.
I know you like math and numbers, so I was thinking about what 8 years old means. In 2 years, your age will be double digits. In 5 years, you’ll be a teenager. Double your age and you’ll be driving a car (at which time I would imagine my prayer life will increase tenfold!). Add 10 years and you’ll be a senior in high school and we will be looking at colleges to attend. Wow! You are just growing up so fast.
I am not complaining, though. You might see mommy a little weepy from time-to-time, but they are tears of pure joy at getting to be your mom. I am so blessed to have you as my son. Your existence in this world is a miracle and I got to sit in the front row at watching God work one of the greatest miracles in my life by giving you life.
When I was pregnant with you, I almost lost you. Several times, actually. But the first time, I was so frightened that I was going to lose you forever. You tried being born 3 months too early! Doctors were trying so hard to keep you inside, but it really looked like you were coming too early. They even put us in an ambulance and sent us to a different hospital, in hopes that they might be able to save you.
After laboring until well into the night, I began doing the only thing I knew to do when things were looking very bleak: I began to pray. I prayed with such earnest desperation that God save your life and do you know what God told me? I think it’s important that you know. I prayed on your behalf and I told God that He had given you to me, and even though at that time I did not even know if you were a girl or a boy, I loved you more than I ever thought I could love a child. I loved you to the very bottom of my heart, to the depths of my soul. I told God that there wasn’t a person on this entire earth who loved you more than I did and I begged God not to take you away from me so soon.
Oh, Clay, God is such an amazing God. Do you know what happened next? I could feel God’s loving embrace as he held you and me both, and He said, “I know you love this baby. And you are correct that no one on this earth loves him more than you. But what you don’t realize, is that I created him. And because of that, I love him a million times even more than you do, and I created him [meaning you, Clay] for a reason. I am going to do great and powerful and wonderful things through this child. You aren’t going to lose him. He is created with a purpose, and I am nowhere near finished fulfilling that purpose in his life.”
That night, Clay, I experienced a peace that surpasses all understanding. I knew with complete certainty that you were going to be okay. And you were. You were allowed to continue growing inside my belly until November 3, at which time, you were ready to be born.
Since that day, I have watched you grow into a very handsome boy with a beautiful heart and spirit. I watch you chase after your passions with excitement and zeal. You love trying new things, and you attack everything you face with a clear mind and determination. You love the people around you and you take great care of those closest to you. You are strong and you are smart and you are funny and you are a complete joy to be around.
One of the happiest days of my life was the day you asked Jesus to forgive your sins and live in your heart. I love that you willingly and excitedly read God’s Word (your Bible) and you love learning as much as you can about our Lord. I love that you share your faith with your friends. I also love when you pray because it is always such a blessing to hear your precious heart.
One of the things I am most proud of you for is what a terrific big brother you are. Your dad and I ask a lot of you because of Cora. With her challenges and demands, you have to sacrifice a lot, and I often worry about how all of this is affecting you in the long-run. But when I see you wrap your arms around her and tell her that you love her, or when I see you stand up for your sister against someone who says something inappropriate, I know that one of God’s purposes in your life is being Cora’s big brother.
I love how you watch out for her safety, even when I am not around. I love how you try to include her when you play, whenever you can, so that she isn’t feeling left out. I love when you put up with her constant singing and dancing “Let it Go” because I know that song drives you crazy. I also know that when she goes to school next year and rides your school bus, she’s going to be fine because you are there. Your presence in Cora’s life brings me great joy and peace, and you may not realize how much I appreciate you for that.
Clay, I hope you have an amazing birthday. I love you so very much, and I look forward to celebrating many, many more birthdays with you.
Love,
Mom
Angie Maddox 