Oh, my heart

There are some days that my heart just aches in a way I’m not even sure how to stuff into the smallness of letters and words.

Life has been full and emotional and moving along so fast these last few months as we’ve been in my homeland and my heartland and I’ve been working late nights and long hours, perhaps a little more than I should.

I’ve almost not had time to think about my baby turning one.

But the moments sneak up on me:

I’m sitting on the bed folding laundry and he comes toddling over to hand me a ball.

(My boy is walking.)

I’m brushing past him in the kitchen and he says, “ah done” from his highchair.

(My boy is talking.)

I’m saying “I love you” and he leans forward to kiss me, mouth wide open and eyes alight.

(My boy is loving.)

And I realize he’s changed; he’s almost one.

Sometimes I wonder about all the question marks surrounding his life during my pregnancy. (Would he have special needs? How would we cope? What might life look like?)

I think of the hundreds that were praying, invested in his life, waiting to hear an outcome.

Hopeful.

Strong and fragile, we trembled in the wait.

And then he was born – that moment – that long-awaited, glorious, painfully perfect moment. (The most triumphant moment of my life.)

And he was… himself. Ours. Exactly as he should be.

The questions were wiped away, new ones soon to stand in their place:

What was that all about?

Did God heal him?

Was he “fine” all along?

What about all those tests, those conversations, that research, that prayer?

What about all those tears and the words poured out and the hearts stretched wide-open and the souls laid bare?

What about those nights spent awake, waiting for morning to come? (Grace.)

What is it about his life that God wanted to call attention to, having so many pray and believe and rally?

Judah Matthew. Our boy.

“Judah” – give praise, make confession, offer thanks.

“Matthew” – God’s gift.

He was and he is.

A gift, immeasurable.

How do you describe that kind of gift – the gift of a son? The gift of a child? The joy and the amazement, the growth and the challenge, the hope and the wonder and the ache of it all?

How do you describe a gift that makes you born again all over again?

I don’t know how but my heart groans with love-joy-gratitude-something-so-holy-I can-only-say… thank you.

I give praise, make confession, offer thanks.

Oh my heart.

My boy – our boy – turns one this weekend. We will celebrate his life… and how’s he’s changed ours.

Dear friends, thank you for loving our boy along with us.

p.s. If you’re a sap for a birth story, you can read ours here: Hello, Judah.

[Joining SheLoves Magazine’s synchroblog: Awake.]

About Author

Adriel Booker is an author, speaker, and advocate based in Sydney, Australia who believes storytelling, beauty, and the grace of God will change the world. Adriel has become a trusted voice in areas of motherhood and parenting, Christian spirituality, and global women's issues. She's also known for her work with the Love A Mama Collective—serving under-resourced women in developing nations through safe birth initiatives—as well as her years spent as a Bible teacher and leadership coach. Her latest book is Grace Like Scarlett: Grieving with Hope after Miscarriage and Loss and she's made the companion grief journal available for free. Find Adriel across all social media platforms at @adrielbooker or sign up for LoveNotes, Adriel's 'secret posts' that aren't published anywhere else online. ✌️

5 Comments

  • Mandy @a sorta fairytale
    28 September 2012 at 2:10 am

    Oh this is so sweet. I can’t believe it’s been a year already! You all are so blessed! Xoxo
    Mandy @a sorta fairytale recently posted..{Review} HANA Pro 1" flat iron from MisikkoMy Profile

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  • Jody Collins
    29 September 2012 at 2:32 pm

    Adriel, you had me crying all over again reading this post. I remember so clearly being on the phone with your mom about Judah’s birth…and here he is one year old. Inconceivable.

    I love your stories…thank you for sharing them and pointing us to Jesus.
    Jody Collins recently posted..He Calls us by NameMy Profile

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  • idelette
    29 September 2012 at 3:36 pm

    Adriel–that picture of your most triumphant moment of your life? O-so-stunning. I love it. Thank you for sharing and joining the synchroblog. Much Love. xo

    Reply
  • Laura G
    2 October 2012 at 7:15 am

    Oh Adriel, how quickly a year passes! It just seems like yesterday that you posted about Judah being welcomed into the world, and now he’s a toddler! I love the part where you say your heart “groans” with gladness – I feel that way too sometimes. It’s almost overwhelming how grateful, happy, in-love-with-life I feel sometimes that all I can do is stop and offer up a prayer of thanks. Hope you are having a good day! I’m sending Judah good birthday wishes!

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