10 Years, 10 Lessons
10 years ago today, I gave birth to my fifth child. He was born with a genetic, progressive neuromuscular disorder. He lived almost 15 months. Because of that time I had with him, my life changed forever...for the better. In honor of his 10th birthday, here are ten things I learned from John Paul:
Don’t be afraid to do hard things.
Be afraid to do hard things if you aren’t asking God for help.
We don’t have to be famous or important in order to inspire conversion in many people, we just have to be willing to be vulnerable.
Our Heavenly Father is interested in details. Nothing is an accident. The time or day something happens, the people to whom it happens, it is all a part of the masterpiece.
I am too self-interested to imagine the scope of God’s masterpiece.
Just because I was able to acknowledge one aspect of the masterpiece today, doesn’t mean I won’t ignore or resent another aspect tomorrow.
Fear really is the ally of the Enemy. Really.
It is a great gift to live in the present moment, especially when spending time with loved ones.
When I hide from the cross, I am hiding from an opportunity to love and am worse off for it.
I will have to keep relearning these lessons until the day I die.
Every year between JP’s birthday and Christmas, we fill his stocking with the intentions of our family and friends. Please feel free to put him to work for you this year!
Birthday Bonus: This little clip has some old JP video footage, in case you never got to meet my hero.