On Christmas Eve 1993, I pulled into the garage bringing my son Ian home for the very first time, and Bing Crosby’s “I’ll be home for Christmas,” was playing on the radio. We thought it was so appropriate, and let the car run, finishing the song before taking him out of his car seat and bringing him into the house for the very first time. Not a Christmas holiday seasons passes without my hearing that song at least 100 times, and remembering that moment every single time it plays.
Last week, Ian came home for the weekend, and I knew he’d been planning to propose to his girlfriend, and I was so excited for him as he shared all of his ideas. Saturday night we went out to dinner and on the way out, he excitedly hopped into the front seat and said he wanted to play the song he thought they might like to dance to at his wedding. It played all the way home, and as we pulled into the garage, we sat and listened to it right to the very end. It really is the perfect song.
And then, it dawned on me. Here we were – sitting in the car, inside the garage, listening to the second half of the song. We waited once more for the song to finish before going in the house. My heart took me back 27-1/2 years to that Christmas Eve when he was only four days old. And then…. I lost it.
Do we really ever know what’s we’re in for? Nope.
And isn’t that half the fun? Yup.
I had no clue that day when I was listening to that song, and finding it so perfect as I pulled into the garage bringing Ian home for Christmas, that 27-1/2 years later I’d be pulling into the garage listening to a song he wanted me to hear that he would like to dance with his bride to at their wedding. The whole moment just felt like God reminding me that He knows just what He’s doing. He couldn’t have made Himself more obvious to me in that moment as a Mom.
Today, my son got engaged. I hit the jackpot with my first daughter-in-law Holly, and now I just hit the jackpot for a second time with my soon-to-be daughter-in-law Hayley!
Young Moms & Dads, when you’re snuggling your babies in your arms and listening to their sweet baby breaths while they sleep and give you those cute little smiles as if they’re dreaming… Pray. Just pray.
Hayley – I’ve been praying for you for a long time, girl! And Ian, I’m so glad you found your bride. I love you both so much…
“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” Psalm 27:14
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