I have a daughter! (See picture.) Everly Kay was born on November 11th at 4:30am. Baby girl is healthy as can be. She loves eating, being held, and sleeping. The typical baby stuff. My wife and I are so glad that we get to be this little girl’s mother and father.
One of the first days we had Everly home, my toddler son, Jameson, was running around our living room yelling, rather loudly, nothing in particular, it certainly wasn’t coherent. Typical toddler stuff. His passion for life is a great source of joy for me. Whether he is banging on his toy drum set, watching Moana, or reciting Little Blue Truck from memory, he does so with gusto. On this day, watching him live his best life, untamed and unapologetic, I thought, “I love him so much.” Then, I looked down in my arms at Everly. She was sleeping quietly on my chest. Her presence in the room offered only the occasional baby coo and the warmth of her cuddles. As I looked at her, I thought, “I love her so much.” Then the question occurred to me, “How can I possibly love these two so much?” and “What kind of life is this?”
A friend of mine from Philadelphia once told me after having his second child, “Your heart will grow and you will love beyond what you know yourself capable of being.” I never understood his words until that day sitting on my couch, watching my daughter and son. I could be wrong, but I don’t think my friends words are true only at childbirth. I believe God has woven moments into our world that grow our capacity to love into the fabric of our world. A prayer I have for the First Presbyterian Nashville community is that during this holiday season, we would learn to love beyond what we know ourselves capable. Likely, it won’t come through the birth of your child, perhaps through the celebration of the birth of a child though… Regardless, may you be open to and looking for the person, place, or thing God may bring into your life that will cause you to love beyond your greatest imagination. If you would like to come meet my Everly, or Jameson, please don’t hesitate! Jameson loves new friends to play with and Everly is always up for someone to hold her 🙂
Blessings,
Josh