He Saw You

Dear Caden,

The green grass, birds chirping, and flowers blooming are all signs that the much awaited Springtime has come. With Spring comes the hopping of little bunnies, rivers of chocolate candies and the scattering of Easter eggs with their bright and beautiful colors. It is a time where families gather together to share stories and tables of food.

Springtime wasn't always painted so pretty, and many tears were shed to have the joys of Easter. Easter isn't about candy, pretty eggs and bunnies. Easter is about so very much more - it is the ultimate love story. God himself came down to earth, became one of us - eating, sleeping, breathing, living - just like us. He felt our pain and he loved us. He saw us for what we are, perfectally imperfect.

I adore you Caden and I know that without a shadow of a doubt that I would lay down my life for you in an instant. I will do whatever I can to make sure that you always feel loved and that you never hurt. I know that I will not always succeed, as God must forge and shape you into the man that you are destined to become. Like a beautiful rose bush that starts from a seed, so carefully loved and nurtured until it grows tall. Along the vines there will be sharp thorns from the hardships in life, but at the ends are budding blessings and full, precious blooms. I know that I would lay down my life for my friends and family as well, but a stranger? A complete stranger in a distant land that I have never even laid eyes on? I would like to say that I would, but if I am truly honest with myself, I don't know if I could when the time came.

Jesus, the Creator of life, gave His life so that we could have life everlasting. He suffered terrible pain at the hands of us, His creation whom He loved so much. We laughed at Him, mocked Him, beat Him and then crucified Him. Even through all of this, He loved us, He had a plan.

Thousands of years ago, when Jesus himself was born, He saw you. I had always told myself that I never wanted children, but I think it was my way of protecting myself.  I was told multiple times that I would not be able to have a child, therefore if I didn't want one, in my mind, all was well. You were just a twinkle in my eye, a whispered prayer, a hope. I still remember the day when I found out I was expecting, the many long days of bed rest, the much anticipated sound of your first cry. Everyday you look at me with your big, brown eyes I am complete. Thousands of years ago as Jesus was whipped, and the sand was splattered with His blood, He saw you. For by His stripes we are healed. The day of your cranial surgery, I handed you not to the surgeons, but to the Great Physician. Thousands of years ago as He took His last breath on the cross He saw you. As I watch you grow, I pray that I teach you to love unconditionally, to be honest, to be strong. Do not live your life to please me, but to please Him. There will be times that you may be mocked for your beliefs, but always do that which is right until you take your final breath. Thousands of years ago as Jesus was laid to rest and the stone was rolled in front, He saw you. There may be nights where you cry yourself to sleep. Where you feel like no one cares and you are all alone. When the darkness of this life seems to close in on you know that He is always with you and that you are never alone. Thousands of years ago, when the greatest miracle of all happened, when the King of Kings breathed the breath of life yet again and rose from the grave, He saw you. He died and rose again so that you, My Dear Caden, could have a chance at everlasting life. He loves you so much that He gave His all, He showed us what true love is all about.

So as you run around the yard hyped up on Peeps know that you are loved. Not just by Mommy and Daddy, but by the Most High. Know that you are special, that even though He had never met you, He adored you. He saw you.

Love,
Mommy

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" John 15:13