This past weekend I went to a baby shower for a sweet little guy that will be entering the world very soon, it was a special time. As we surrounded this young mom to pray over her new baby, my heart was struck with the memory of a time about 25 years ago when people were surrounding us as our baby boy entered the world too.

How quickly time moves by, for you see this week my baby boy all grown up is getting married! And family and friends will gather around with prayers of celebration as he enters a different new world, the world of being a husband to his beautiful fiancé Stephanie.

As this day approaches, my emotions are swirling with all the feels, my mind is journeying through distinct memories, and my prayers are flowing often to heaven. It’s just too much for this one mama heart to hold, so I found it best to just let it overflow.

Here goes…  

First, amidst all the happy celebration, I’d be dishonest if I didn’t say that there was a a bit of mom sadness swirling in my emotions too. See I’m remembering my teeny baby boy… I flew all the way to Seattle to become his mom and bring him home with our family. What a precious gift from God he was, and is and always will be.

Oh Father, I pray as Sam and Stephanie enter this covenant of marriage, that they will always see each other as gifts from You. That through the years their hearts will stay tender to each other to treasure one another in this gift of marriage from Your hand.

For me, when I journey through memories, they tend to walk me through a timeline?  See my little baby boy grew quickly, and well let’s just say he was about the most strong-willed child I have ever known. Oh the memories of Sam’s will to have his way! Good thing he was so cute, and good thing his dad and I are stubborn too, because training him in those early years was not easy.  Let’s just say I cried many tears while he threw many fits. But this… this is one of my favorite pictures of Sam as a little guy…

Interesting, that this picture was taken a wedding, See while I wanted him to stay all nice and tidy and put together in his wedding clothes, Sam had other plans.  I finally realized it was a day of joy and Sam was all about the celebration! By the end of the night, he had partied well, feasted on cake… and well, made many smile. Sam’s strength of heart had made for a happy day for everyone all around.

Oh Father, I pray that as Sam and Stephanie enter the covenant of marriage, that he will be a STRONG husband for her, strong in ways that bring them both joy! Use his strength of will to stand and fight for the things that are true and right and good, and that will bring their family lasting joy!

I am also remembering all the boy mom moments…  and for my boy that included lots of sports.  What amazing athletic gifts God gave my son! Sam always excelled in athletic endeavors, even ones he didn’t like. Some of my favorite sports memories of him are from the baseball field. As the pitcher, he’d stand on that mound and I could see it coming… his slider ball that always drew a strike. It was so fun!

And my heart would also thrill when he would swing the bat to hit the ball soaring over the fence for another home run, which by the way happened more times than not.  And now all these years later, I am so thankful God has given him the joy of using his giftings in sports as a career to provide for his family.

Oh Father, Your Word says You created us for good works which You prepared in advance for us to do.  May Sam and Stephanie always yield their giftings and talents to Your plans, and serve You no matter where you lead them. May you bless the work of their hands and give them favor and abundant provision for their family

I am also thinking back to the moments where I saw Sam’s faith shine.  Those are sweet and precious to my heart and give me peace as we bless this new journey of marriage in his life, because I know God’s blessing and presence is vital for their marriage to thrive.  Sam’s faith has always had a more quiet expression than mine, but it is there, definitely there. 

In the moments that really matter, not for show, not for others, but for the Lord… his faith shows strong and true and that blesses me more than you can know.

Oh Father, as Sam and Stephanie enter this covenant of marriage, be present in their individual hearts and present in them together. Bind them in Your Spirit.  Grow them in Your Truth.  May their faith be strong. May they seek You first in all they do and stay true to You no matter what may come.

Recently Stephanie told me that one of the things she loves about Sam is that he is such a hard worker. I couldn’t agree more!  When Sam puts his mind to something he will serve and work with all he has. I loved seeing that work ethic shine through him as he grew up, not only in his jobs, but in a willingness to serve others on mission trips and other various ways.  As a mom, it has been a joy and blessing to see that selflessness and hard work effort in him.

Oh Father, as Sam and Stephanie enter this covenant of marriage, I pray that he will continue to give of himself, to serve You, to serve Stephanie and others in ways that bless their family, his workplace and others all around him.

Sam was really blessed to have some amazing friends in his middle, high school and college years. And he is a good and loyal friend. Those friendships have made me smile over the years in so many ways and I know that smile will be on my face this week when I see some of those friends standing with him when he says, “I do!”

Oh Father, as Sam and Stephanie enter this covenant of marriage , I pray that they will be good and loyal friends to each other.  That their friendship will bring a depth of kindness, trust and stability to their lives together that will grow richer and stronger as the years go by.

People who know Sam know that Sam is really funny and so fun to be around. I tend to be more on the serious side, but in many ways he has brought out the humor in me. I love to hear him laugh and to laugh with him!  On my memory journey I came across this picture and just had to laugh. See Sam had been on a missions trip and I was so excited that he was finally coming home. But, he had clearly instructed me NOT to bring a big sign or balloons to the airport to greet him.  So I didn’t.  I just brought a little sign. 

We both got a good laugh out of that one 😊

Oh Father, as Sam and Stephanie enter this covenant of marriage, let his humor bring much laughter to their home and relationship. May they laugh together even in the hard times and find joy and friendship in the funny things.  Let it be so Lord, let it be so.

I could go on and on with emotions, memories and prayers… so much going on in my heart this week… but for now, just one last thing… FAMILY.

My mind has been traveling back to the season when our little family of three became a family of four. When he entered our family, Sam’s older sister, McKenzie embraced him lovingly, and I’ll always treasure the memory when we all flew across the country to bring him home!

From the beginning Sam fit right in, and family has always been important to him. And now… in just a few days, our little family of four will become a family of five!

Stephanie we love how you have fit right in with us too and we pray you know how glad we are to have you!

Oh Father, as Sam and Stephanie enter this covenant of marriage, knit them together as a new family, but knit us all together as family too.  Bind our hearts together in your Spirit with the love of Christ for one another that always seeks to bless and never comes to an end.

Whew… that’s a lot… but it helped to write it all down. To get some of these emotions and memories and prayers down on paper about my son whom I love so much!

Stephanie you are getting a treasure in my boy and I know you know that!

I love seeing how you love him, it does my heart so good.  I imagine that you said “Yes” to marrying Sam because he is such a gift… and because he is so strong, smart, skilled, loyal, hard working, faithful and funny… all these things I have written about him here and more!

My son is soon to become your husband.  Crazy isn’t it! Love him well.  I know you will!

“The Lord bless you and keep you, make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace. Amen.” (Numbers 6:24-26)