Day 3: Dear Baby

** We have a new baby boy in our family whom we welcomed to the world on today. His conception was not planned & some things about his body are unclear right now, but we love him and are happy he's with us. I haven't learned much in my 28 years of life, but here's what I want him to know and I hope that he will take to heart.**

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Dear Baby,

I love you so much. Love means so many things to different people. Besides love being "patient" and "kind"(I Corinthians 13), love means being there and honoring one's agreement to stand with you in spite of shortcomings.

Sometimes love is easy and sometimes it's hard. Sometimes it smells like freshly buttered dinner rolls, and other times it smells like nasty sewer water. That's where courage comes in. I hope with all of my heart that you will be courageous; that you will be compassionate; and that you will zealously do what is right. You're human and humans make bad choices sometimes, especially when we don't ask God to help & guide us. It's ok...that's life.

Although I love you, Mom & Dad love you, your brothers love you, and your entire family loves you, there will be others who will love you too. Contrary to what the world tells you, those people CAN love you unconditionally; "unconditionally" means without a reason and notwithstanding any flaws. It may seem scary sometimes, but that comes with the territory. Those people don't HAVE to love you, but indeed they will. Some of the greatest family you will have will be people not of our bloodline. They may be orange or have spots; they may speak a foreign language. They may have lived in a land or experienced a culture completely dfferent from your backyard...but guess what??? Love transcends all of these differences as long as you always honor God and allow him to be a part of your relationships. And guess what else, Baby!?! You can love those people back wholeheartedly! Even YOU may be the "odd ball" out- may be different to them- but "different" is OK. God made us all different and Christ came to show us all how to live despite these differences, uniting us as God's sacrificial lamb of salvation.

Baby, to whom much is given, much is required. You have been given physical life, spiritual life, free will, and the opportunity to learn and grow. Along with these blessings, you are also given wisdom & knowledge. Your job is to freely share this wisdom & knowledge with all who will have you- ESPECIALLY those whom you love. If someone you trusted had a secret that would make you better, wiser, or stronger, wouldn't you want to know? Of course you would! Love them relentlessly, without ceasing, and without turning your back on them. Why? Because Jesus teaches you how and it's your job to follow His lead.

I know this is a lot of info for a little baby, but I wanted to get you started early. May you always see Light in others; may you never be afraid to give of yourself completely; and may you always, ALWAYS feel and KNOW that you are loved, valued, special, and important.

Love with courage.

Cousin Sheeda