A Spring of Joy

“I’m glad that Jesus died on the Cross, and God’s love is so great that if we could learn to love others that much it would take our whole life and more.” (~Asher)

God’s great love.

For my son, now His son.

Amazing grace.

Overwhelming love.

Intense joy.

Gratefulness at what God has done in Asher’s heart.

This is something we have longed for and prayed for, but something we could not make happen, only God could.

Asher heard the call of mercy and ran headlong as he tends to do with everything.

He is enthusiastic for life and for living life for Jesus.

For what more could I ask?

Brian shared Asher’s story and our blessing over him, pride glowing from his face and heart. Asher has a maturity that amazes us. He has a heart and knowledge that we know has come from suffering… suffering that we did not want him to have to walk through, but we are so thankful for how it has molded him. We stood with our pastor, our friend, a man who held Asher when he was just 30 minutes old and who has loved and shepherded our family through life for 13 years, and we listened as Asher vowed his life to Christ and to the church. I watched the water pour over Asher’s head and run down his shirt and pictured the tears I have shed, begging God for Asher’s heart. I melted down when hundreds of people stood and committed to care for and encourage our son, welcoming him into the church family.

After the service, I stood with friends and rejoiced and wept. I watched people hug and high five my son, and I watched his face light up time and again. I hugged my friend, Linda, and she said, “I’m so glad you’re here for this.” She knew. She understood in a way that few others could what this meant to my heart. I had stood in the shower and sobbed yesterday morning thanking God that He had kept my life and given me these moments–that I was alive for this day. I reveled in each moment, as did my my Buddy.

Then we sat all afternoon surrounded by close friends and family and celebrated God’s gifts. We ate pork BBQ and fantastic side dishes and fudge cake and homemade ice cream, and we sat in the shade of the maple tree enjoying each other. We petted horses and watched little ones go for toy Jeep rides with Bella. We laughed long and hard and cried some, too. It couldn’t have been a more perfect day (except for those far away friends who couldn’t be there to celebrate with us).

I wanted yesterday to last forever!

What a picture of community. What a taste of Heaven. Celebrating every moment of God.

Here, my friends, are the words of our eight-year-old son.

“Jesus is my Savior, and He’ll save anyone who believes. I love Jesus and am thankful that He died for me and forgave all my sin. I’m glad for all the miracles He did, and I’m glad for all the people He healed like the crippled man that He healed so he could walk, but the best miracle He did was in his heart and in my heart. He helps me in my life to be kind and not fight others and work against sinning. But when I do, He forgives me no matter what. I want Him to help me learn to love others, to live all for Him, and to be a Jesus hero.”

Be blown away by grace with me.