My friends Katie & Chris had a beautiful baby yesterday (Congratulations, guys!) so, naturally, I can’t stop thinking about Tanner. I’m not sure how you could ever stop thinking about a face like this:

One of the coolest things about Tanner is that she continuously teaches me about how the Lord feels about us. Because I consider Tanner to be such a huge component of my redemption story, I’ve always had this overwhelming, surreal feeling of astoundment that I get the chance to be her mom. There’s nothing I could have done to earn such a privilege. It seems kind of ridiculous that I’m so proud of her, but I am. You’d think she was some brilliant rocket scientist and I taught her everything she knew…but the truth is she just eats, poops, and smiles…frequently in that order. And I think she’s the most amazing little person ever.

Here are some ways Tanner has taught me about my relationship with the Lord:

[Part One]

Poop. I’m not a big fan of poop. When I was a baby, my parents took me to the doctor because I gagged when they changed my diaper. No kidding. But it’s my joy to clean hers up, even when it’s all the way up her back to her neck. I want her to be clean! And I don’t need her to be clean before I want to hold her…I’ll hold her just like she is, even if I get poop on my shirt. I’ll hold her first, and clean her up later because I love her. The Lord wants us to be clean, but he wants us right now just how we are. He’ll work on cleaning us up for the rest of our lives. [Psalm 51:6-7] [1 John 1:9] [Jeremiah 33:7-9] [Hebrews 9:13-15]

I want what is best for Tanner, even if she doesn’t like it or she doesn’t understand it. (for example, when she takes a bottle, she needs to burp half-way through…it’s hilarious to watch her get so enraged.) [Proverbs 5:21] [Romans 8:28] [Isaiah 55:8-9]

She needs me. Tanner loves to put all things in her mouth…her fist, her fingers, other people’s fingers, towels, blankets, toys…but I have what she needs for nourishment. If she chooses something else, she’s on a quick spiral towards failure to thrive. Regardless of what we try to fill our souls with, the Lord says we need Him…Jesus…Living Water…to survive. [Matthew 4:4] [John 4:9-13]

to be continued…