What a year it has been watching you join our little clan, and bring your own unique energy into our crazy life. You are a pure beam of radiant sunlight, and a reminder that God's timing is always perfect, and his grace is sufficient. These are lessons I have been learning frequently this last year.
When it came time for you to make your entrance, your siblings had been eagerly anticipating your arrival throughout the goofy experience of watching Mommy be pregnant, and they greeted you with joy. Both old enough to enjoy you without jealousy, they continue to be nothing short of obsessed with this little creature who has entered their hearts and home. Watching them meet and embrace you as brother is another memory I will treasure in my heart as long as I live. Aria and Leo have been Mommy's biggest helpers in all of your exciting firsts. It makes my heart soar when we are driving around (We do a lot of that living where we do) and I turn my head to peek at you. Always ready with a big beautiful toothy smile, just at the surprise of meeting my eyes. Always observing, watching, taking in every interaction and happening. You never want to miss anything. It can be so frustrating trying to feed you a bottle because you hate having your view blocked for even just a couple seconds from the world around you. We can tell you will have deep thoughts to share when your talking catches up.
As I mentioned in your birth story, our journey together bringing you into this world was met with many obstacles and my heart wondered what kind of child would come from all from all of that stressful energy and anxiety, growing pains for both of us. Would my physical and spiritual warfare take its toll on you? Would it add a measure of anxiety and fear to your little spirit? Is that even how things work? And in those thoughts I realized that the spiritual warfare never ends. That those thoughts are the work of sin and evil, and Christ has overcome all of it. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Diamonds are formed under pressure, and you, Callen, were given the most perfect name to fit who you are. A warrior rock amidst battles. I am reminded of Paul's words to the Ephesians when he instructed them to put on the full armor of God.
"Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak." Ephesians 6:10-20
It is not within our power to wage this war we call life, with all of its unexpected turns, distractions, and the wounds that come from facing what we cannot control. With every obstacle it is Christ that gives that power to you and to me, and it is He who is sufficient when we are not. And even in and through the fight, He is there creating life and glorifying us to be more like Him. I learned that in carrying you. I learned it this past year seeing how resilient and chill you are as a little person. I learned that fear is the undoing of all that power and strength, and that it is in itself an enemy to be defeated. As I learn to trust in this confidence, my prayer for you is that you will never know a day without it. That you will grow strong and bold, and put on the full armor that is already yours to claim.
Callen, your Daddy and I love you with all that we are, and we cannot wait to see what adventures we will go on with each passing year as we continue to grow as a family together. You have already taught us so much. May you always remember in this life to put on that full armor of God, our little warrior boy. In doing so, you will slay every dragon and weather every storm that comes your way. Happy 1st Trip Around the Sun!
