hope. faith. love.

We just got off the phone with the eldest of the, soon to be official, Smith children and I cannot imagine what a joy it was for them to hear their son’s voice on the phone because I, myself, was delighted to hear him say “tell my mom and dad that I love them and that my brother and I are waiting for them.”

Already I can see— in his mannerisms, his actions and his words— that he was born (he was created) to be the person that he is becoming. I am honored to know him and to be able to watch him step into his destiny. THANK YOU, Mark and Jenn for being such amazing hands of God in him taking that step.

In my head I am watching a mother and father take their toddler by the hands, one on each side, as he skips along, at times lifting both feet off the ground and swinging between his two parents. That toddler is not afraid to jump. He knows that his parents will hold his hands and not let him fall. John is much bigger than that toddler; and his jump—his risk— is greater too. But, in his eyes and in his voice I see and I hear that he trusts you with his future.

I want to trust God like that. John does not know what tomorrow holds. And he has been waiting a long time; and he still isn’t certain of how much longer he will have to wait. But he called today and said “we will wait for you.” And he knows that you will come.

I too don’t know what tomorrow holds. But when I begin to worry or to doubt what God has planned for me I will close my eyes and think of the moment John first walked into the room that first day and remember to hope. And I will think of his voice on the phone this afternoon and remember to be sure of what I hope for and certain of what I do not yet see: to have faith!!!