My second son joined our family three weeks ago. We were particularly looking forward to meeting this newest little person, because we choose not to find out the gender of our babies ahead of time. That means that we also don't know our baby's name (sure, we pick out two names, but we keep those secret as well and don't use them ahead of time - I'm only just getting used to saying his name three weeks in!) or much about who they will become. We only have a few snippets based on others' prayers and baby's temperament in-utero. It's exciting to finally meet this little mystery person and begin to discover all that they are.
A friend looked at an ultrasound picture while I was pregnant and asked, "Who are you going to be, little one?" And it's that way for all of us. You might have every stitch of clothing already bought and a name picked out and publicly broadcast long before your new one arrives, but you still thrill at finally meeting them. Discovering how they react to the world. Fitting them into your family - whether baby makes three or thirteen! Learning their patterns and habits. It's so exciting to welcome a new baby!
I know, though, that there will come a time when I will get used to everything about this little man. I will know when and why he cries, tell you his precise schedule, get a feel for what clothes he likes and doesn't like, recognize his first words when everyone else hears only babbles... I will know so much about him, that I will assume I know him.
And then I looked at my two-year-old this week - really looked at him. I can tell you so much about him. Even some of his more "adult" traits - the fact that he's very charismatic and laid back in social settings but still thrives on having quiet alone time; the fact that he's a little OCD and likes to line up all of his toy cars and has to have his food on divided plates. I have started to take for granted that I know him so well, and I assume I know all of him.
But here's the truth: there is so much potential in my older son that I haven't even scratched at yet. I don't know how what he will do when he grows up, who he will touch, how he will impact others, the legacy he will leave, or how God will choose to use him. I'm excited all over again to meet this growing little man as he emerges each day.
Sure, it's easy to forget and overlook. I'm sure I will do it tomorrow morning, even after taking time to reflect on it now. Life is busy, and we find a great deal of comfort in our routines. But try it sometime this week: meet your child all over again. What do you have yet to discover? What kind of potential does your child have? What are your deepest prayers for your little ones? Who will they be?
Our nightly prayer mantra struck me anew tonight, thinking about my son. "Lord, let him grow into a strong man who loves you with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength and never let him go a day without hearing your voice. Lord, let them." Because now there are two little men in my home that I am so excited to meet over and over again.
