Jackson's birthday present from Mommy and Daddy!!
Currently we are studying both the book of John and the book of Revelation on Wednesday nights at the house church that Jonathan, Jackson, and I attend. It has often been difficult for me to listen and absorb in depth what is being taught since I have become a mother and my time is divided between tending to Jackson and entering into discussion each night. Recently, however, we have started putting Jackson down to sleep soon after we arrive and I am actually able to pay attention and learn a few things. I am also making more time during the week to study on my own which, of course, makes a ton of difference!! For several weeks now I have concentrated on Revelation since we have been out of town so much and always missed the nights when John was being studied. I found that I was struggling quite a bit with the heaviness and sadness of the book as it concentrates mostly on how ugly we are as sinners and how severe God's judgement and wrath must justifiably be during the end times. (We haven't gotten to the end of the book....which is of course full of hope and victory.) I have found it very hard to swallow the reality of suffering that believers will go through and how many are suffering now in other countries on a daily basis. Somewhere, though, in the midst of becoming more aware of the depravity of man, I am seeing even more the love of God. For God to even care enough and love enough of His creation to spend the energy and effort to give us a way to His Kingdom is stunning to me. It only takes a few verses from John to help me understand how beautiful the love of Christ is when reading through Revelation. I thought about His beautiful love today when I was playing with my son. He was laughing and hugging me and showing so much affection! I felt like I was getting a small glimpse of how sweet and precious His Creation was meant to be. As sinners, we have corrupted so much of what He intended here on Earth. I was overwhelmed alone by the love of a small little boy and can't wait to see how God will display is great and mighty love in the new and restored Earth!! I know I will never truly understand the depth of God's love for me until my time here is over, but I am so thankful that I am allowed glimpses through the love of my friends, family, husband, and yes....Jackson.
So much of that love was shown during the celebration of Jackson's first birthday last weekend. We were surrounded by our friends and family and couldn't have wished for a better day. Enjoy the pictures and know that I am so thankful for each friendship God has blessed our family with in this precious life.
