The morning began with a much needed Listening time. If you read an older post, you know that I've been wondering which relationships to pursue. I hang out with lots of people, I'm friends with lots of people...but I want to be better friends with fewer people so we can have more meaningful conversations. So I asked "to whom do you want me to reach out?" and "in what ways?". He gave me a wonderful specific list, and I'm excited to have a sort of game plan. Not that I think of relationships as a game plan, but there's so many people, I just want to be intentional about where I'm directed. *Sigh*, it's good to have a Guide.
In the afternoon we were getting ready leave for our Sunday meeting. I put Titus, dressed in blue, on his stomach in the middle of our rose-patterned queen-sized bed. I stood within arm's reach of him, putting up my hair in front of our dresser mirror. Suddenly the spot of blue disappeared over the edge of the crimson bedspread, dropping two feet onto the wood floor. If you didn't catch that -- Titus fell of the bed! I don't know if he or I screamed first, but by the time Drew ran in, I had scooped Titus into my arms and we were both crying (me because I felt so guilty). But Titus cried for less than thirty seconds. Drew and I applied pressure on and moved different body parts to check for pain, but he was fine. His eyes appeared normal and tracked objects normally. He responded to noises normally. No bruises. Nothin'. I suppose Titus landed in the optimal position -- on his stomach and elbows -- still it's remarkable that he cried for such short time and showed no sign of pain or injury. It was undoubtedly the Father's protection.
Every evening around 8pm, I nurse Titus in his dark and quiet bedroom. Watching his sweet little face fall to sleep, I feel so much love for him welling within me that I have to grit my teeth. He is precious. I often wonder "Where did you come from Titus? A year ago we didn't know you...but here you are...a NEW person, so alluring and charming and vivacious!". Titus is fearfully and wonderfully made. So each night he falls asleep cuddled next to me, nursing. Then I try not to wake him as I bring his little head up to rest on my shoulder, one of his arms wrapped around my neck and the other around my arm. In the dark and quiet I feel him breathing on my skin, and every night in this peaceful moment I uplift my little son. It is some incredible privilege for a mother to ask blessings over her baby son's whole life. There's so much to ask for, so much potential. Each night I'm led to uplift something different and very specific, often it's a quality that young men are charged to embody.
Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned... (Paul's letter to Titus 2:6-8)
Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. (Paul's letter to Titus 3:1-2)
For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when His goodness and loving kindness appeared, He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy... (Paul's letter to Titus 3:3-5)
Please consider uplifting Titus today. We long so much for him to grow towards his Father and become a man who lives courageously by the Book.
Also consider uplifting our intentional relationships here, too. We can do all the tilling and watering, but you-know-who has got to give the growth.
Goodnight,
Rachel & Drew
