Noah's First Birthday Letter...

My sweet Noah,

Today is a big day! Today you have blessed us, face to face, for one full year. Who can forget the excitement and anticipation we had as this day approached last year? Our family of three was so eager to become a family of four! The weeks leading up to your birth I just had to remind myself to take it all in and ….

Breathe in. Breathe out.

Your daddy had (finally) picked the special name Noah for you a couple of weeks before you were born. The story of Noah’s ark in the bible is one of the first bible stories children hear about. We become so use to hearing about Noah that I think sometimes we fail to absorb the magnitude of this man. No, he wasn’t perfect but Genesis 6:9 tell us “he was a righteous man…”. In a time & place that was plagued with corruption, “Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. (vs. 8)”

Breathe in. Breathe out.

Every parent waits for that moment. That moment where they get to hear their child’s cry for the first time. A simple cry is a sign of good things. I remember lying their on the operating room table, the doctor telling me you were out of my tummy. With your brother they let me look at him immediately. You were taken across the room with people talking in low hushed voices. I didn’t hear much of a cry, I tried to be patient as I looked into your Daddy’s eyes and told him to go take a look at you. I could tell it was love at first sight. But there was some concern.

Breateh in. Breathe out.

To be able to bask in the eyes of the Lord and find favor…. What a testimony. What a life. What a calling God had for Noah. I once read that before the flood, rain had never even fallen from the sky. Hebrews 11:7 states ““By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. “ I must confess, I’m not sure if the word “things” in the above sentence is a reference to rain itself, or a flood. However, paired with Genesis 2:6 which states “streams came up from the earth & watered the whole surface of the ground” I’m inclined to believe that perhaps rain was indeed a new concept to the people of Noah’s time, especially a flood! Despite the unseen, this man put his head down, followed God’s command and built an ark.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

I was told every breath was a struggle for you. That you sucked your chest in so tightly each time you breathed. You would need to go to NICU.
I was given copies of your foot print to hold onto. Your feet were so big. We had been expecting a little peanut seeing how you were 2 weeks early. Instead you were 8lbs 5 ozs of love- Our big baby boy. Perhaps we should have named you Goliath, instead of Noah! Your size seemed to provide some comfort to me. Surely you could stand your ground. I got to take a glimpse of you before they whisked you & Daddy away to the NICU. You were already wrapped up like a little buritto & I only got to see you for a second so I couldn’t really tell you were struggling as much as they said you were. But as I saw you being escorted out of the room with handfuls of people, fear struck me. I tried to pray, but all I could seem to manage repeated in my head “Be near, oh god, please be near”. I felt God telling me to…

Breathe in. Breathe out.

And I prayed He was telling you the same thing.

For 40 days & 40 nights it rained & flooded the earth. Two of every animal was on that boat. Not to mention all of Noah’s sons and their families. I’m not quite sure what it was like but tight quarters with lots of family + plus the digestion process of all the animals, I’m sure there were moments where Noah just had to take it one breath at a time.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

It’s one full year after you birth. You made it big boy. There was never really any doubt you wouldn’t pull through but you can never take a moment forgranted. Your daddy and I have especially been reminded of that this week as we mourn with dear friends over the tragic loss of a loved one. We are reminded to hold onto each other just a little bit tighter. Each day is a gift. We are so glad you are a fighter. Those lungs which once were a concern are healthy and clear now, & you constantly remind me of that daily. You are in good health. You are rambunctious and and all boy! You are extremely happy but you are also passionate. If you don’t get what you want you’re not afraid to speak up for it! And I’m thankful for that. Yes, as parents I imagine your Daddy and I will have to help you fine tune it (ok, likely reign you in some) but what we couldn’t imagine a more perfect fit for our family. One thing is for sure, your passion is one of the things I love most about you (that & your sweet grin, and adorable laugh, and your countless arm rolls…. Oh the list could go on and on)!

Noah had a passion for God. More importantly God had a passion for Noah . Even though God knew sin still existed after the flood He still made a covenant. The covenant to never destroy the earth by flood again. He knew we still needed rescuing and he also knew the ultimate sacrifice it would take, his own son. Jesus Christ. Talk about some passion. The cross is covered in passion & grace.

Breathe in. Breathe out. “God forgive them, they know what they’ve done.”

Noah, I pray that you grow into your name. That you find favor with God. That your passion is fueled by the desire to glorify God in all that you do.

That you know how much you enrich our lives. That you face and hands, eyes, & mouth bring delight to our home daily.

And most importantly I pray “…that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3 :14-19

Breathe in & Breathe out Noah. It’s your first birthday sweet boy!

We couldn’t be more blessed!