Sometimes -- I'm slow!

This post is about two weeks overdue, but I want to tell you that Luke is now walking -- if you hadn't already heard.

Two weeks ago, Wednesday, December 2, in the evening, he just all of a sudden took off for us. That evening, he just all of a sudden started taking about 10 steps at a time, and that has only increased.

While I don't have a video of it to post, here are a few photos from the last couple of weeks....

(And, as a side note -- Luke has a visor of Marc's around his neck. He LOVES that visor. He has it with him quite a bit. It's gone into the grocery store, into Wal-Mart, etc. I actually think he likes it mainly because it's Marc's. He's pointed at it to other people and said, "Dada.")



This photo was taken at church the other day -- in the foyer.



If you look in the background at this one -- you'll definitely know that a child has been there :)



Now -- if you read the title of this post, you might possibly think I'm being mean when it comes to Luke's walking. Yes, he does still walk slow, but we all know that will only increase.

Actually, in the title, I'm actually referring to myself as being a S.L.O.W. L.E.A.R.N.E.R. sometimes. Before you all think I'm being too hard on myself, let me explain.

Many of you know, either from knowing me in person or reading my blog, that I have, at times, been frustrated with Luke's late walking. I always knew he'd eventually get there, but it still was frustrating to watch every other child his age AND younger already walking.

I typed out our Christmas letter a little over two weeks ago. I then promptly went and made a bunch of copies. In that Christmas letter, I wrote that Luke was "taking the later approach to walking and wasn't quite walking yet." Literally, 24 hours later, he started walking. I went on ahead and sent the letters out as written.

A few days after I mailed out the Christmas letters, I received a Christmas letter from a family I knew in high school (it was actually from a friend of mine's mom). I won't go into a lot of detail about the letter other than the fact that it was a very positive, encouraging, and uplifting letter -- beautifully written. She talked about her granddaughter -- getting close to two years old.

Without saying anymore, let me just say that after I read it, with tears in my eyes, I said to myself, "Wow! I can really be a jerk sometimes."

I TRULY felt guilty for complaining and being frustrated (both in my mind and out loud) about Luke's late walking.

One would think that with almost 34 years of life behind me as well as life lessons learned this past year, I would learn to be thankful for everything God has given me. One would think that I would learn to be content with my circumstances -- ALWAYS!

I just want to scream out loud to myself (and I have been screaming silently to myself), "Sarah -- Stop Complaining."

And then, the other day, I was reading in my Bible in 2 Peter.

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:8-9

Time doesn't mean much to God, and God is the U.L.T.I.M.A.T.E. patient one. I have messed up many times in my life, and often times, I keep making the same mess-up. God has been patient and forgiving through it all, over and over and over again.

God is the perfect parent example....If he's this patient with me, why can't I be more patient with Luke?

In all reality, Luke's late walking is nothing. Marc and I sure that someday, there will be many bigger things to be patient with in his life.

Can I be that patient with him? That's my prayer....(I know -- praying for patience can truly be scary).

I've been reading a book called Creative Silence by Jeanie Miley. Basically, it's a book on Christian meditation, but I have gained quite a few important truths in this book.

I shared an excerpt out of this book during my Tuesday morning Young Wives/Mothers Bible Study group. I'd like to now share it on this post.

We are made for growth and change. Just as plants grow toward the light, we, too, turn toward the Light for growth. Unfortunately, there is no way to come into the presence of the Holy One without encountering our own sin (which is why so many of us avoid prayer and mediation!) There is no way to a union with the Perfect One without having the gaping holes of our imperfection revealed. Encountering the One who is righteous exposes my frailties and foibles, my sins of attitude and action, my growing edges. Christ's probing light makes its way into the darkest corners; he seeks and finds me when I try to hide. God is always at work in us, restoring us to his original design. The discomfort of life has within it the seed of renewal, the possiblity of transformation.

That paragraph explains things to me perfectly. While my sin frustrates me, it is reassuring to know that my relationship with Jesus Christ is the most important thing for me -- Christ is ALWAYS with me. God is at work within me...restoring ME to His original design.