A Baby Changes Everything…in more ways than one!

Today is such a big day in the Stew house, for many reasons.

One, it is my birthday.

Two, it is Parker’s 8th Birthday.

Three, it is Marta’s, our compassion child, 19th birthday.

Wow, is all I can say.  The Lord made this day significant to me for three very specific reasons, some I am still not aware of.  He ordained my own birth, the birth or my first child and the birth of a girl I will probably never meet, but to whom I am forever connected.

I am reminded on this day, that it is not about me, anymore.  IF it ever was, those days are long gone! Now, for my birthday, I get to take donuts to a 2nd grade class, be taken to McDonald’s to lunch by my 3 year old, and get to choose between Fazoli’s and Arby’s for my birthday dinner.  Why?  Because I am a mom and it is my daughter’s birthday.  It is her childhood and her day.  I will gladly take backseat to let her have a day that is special just for her.  She thinks it s SO COOL that we share a birthday.  She asks often if she was the best present I ever received on my birthday and I answer her that yes, she is…..and the epidural was a close second!  Don’t get me wrong, my family and friends are great to treat me to night’s out, presents and fun to celebrate my day, it just usually happens on another day.  God uses this day to show me that life is greater than me and it is all about His plan.

13 years ago, we began sponsoring a little 6 year old girl.  Jason had chosen her because we shared a birthday.  Little did I realize then, how significant that would become to me.  After traveling to Africa and really seeing the reality that her life could be and seeing the difference Compassion makes in a generation of women in Africa, I am reminded that God is in the details, He is about redemption and salvation.  I don’t know the impact we have on Marta, but I know that we have been committed to her and I have been taught so much through her life.

A baby truly does change everything.  My life was forever changed 8 years ago, today.  Parker Caroline, 6 lbs 11ozs, of pure, life changing, flesh.  She amazed me, overwhelmed me, flustered me, had mercy on me and showed me a glimpse of the Father’s sacrifice, when He sent a baby that changed everything.

This song has become an instant favorite of mine.  The Lord is crazy in love with His creation and if you ever doubt, remember the lengths He went to show us…..His baby changed everything….