Moms and God

Christa championed childbirth two days before mother's day and we celebrated her then. We thanked God for the delivery and now we celebrate her again on father's day. I have done almost nothing impressive thus far, as a father. I have filled in the very small gaps. AND I have lost my patience. I have been bored at times with how un-interactive Eli is. I have become frustrated with sharing my wife with such a little man. I have been selfish, wanting my wife to myself, to romance, adventure, sleep and eat. Christa is patient with me too. She is amazing at her God-given role as a mom while I have the easy job of leaving the house Monday through Friday. Moms do amazing things on very little sleep for very little people who have very little thanks. And Christa is open 24 hours to care for our 8-pounder. Though I try avoid cliches... thank you, well done and I love you, to my beautiful wife and to my son's lifeline, his tender and full-loving mama.
And Elliot, you been camping before? I'm taking your mom away next month. You're going to like the mountains and trees and rivers and clean and quiet.

At her 6-week check-up on Friday, the doctor found a bit of placenta still in her uterus. This is not good. On Tuesday, they will sedate her, dilate her and scrape out the inch-long piece. We risk bleeding, infertility, infection and other complications in this procedure. Would you join us in prayer? Would you encourage Christa with a line on either the blog or email her at clynnpayne@gmail.com.

Pray she trusts in the Lord. Pray she leans on Him in this difficult time. Pray she rejoices in all circumstances. Pray she fully trusts God's faithfulness. Please pray I lead and love her in a godly and helpful way. Pray that we do not fear this circumstance or any but that we are commited to fearing the Lord. Pray we have joy as a family and that we are a light to others in the hospital and on our street. Bless the Lord!

Elliot does not know God

He is unemployed. Toothless. Lacks social security number, birth certificate, and ID. No contact info. Nearly immobile. Probably legally blind. Has no words and doesn't know his name. Defenseless. Unchristian. Very unappreciative. Quite uncoordinated. And pathetic hygiene. Often seems to be under the influence following meals.
He is Elliot.
Lovin life. He can smile. He has a little giggle. He is beginning to like to cuddle. He can see up to 18 inches away. He can hold his head up. He can turn over from his tummy to his back. He makes some hilarious sounds. He enjoys the warm shower. He sleeps best next to dad with his arms straight up. He is the most interesting human in the house.
Photos taken at 38 days of little life. He has now been outside the warm womb for 45.

laughs and cries

Every time I laugh today, Elliot stops crying. And he listens. So I keep making myself laugh and for now, he doesn't cry. Thank you Lord. God knows we parents are worn down by this crying creature. When our son cries and we do everything we can to stop it and he still cries-- we are humbled.
Does he need food? Does he need to burp? Does he need a new diaper? Does he need warmth? Does he need movement, a walk? Does this baby need anything that we can give him? And sometimes we're not sufficient. God's grace is.
Our laughter is sound Elliot loves. His crying is noise Christa cringes to when she can't help him. Crying is his only communication to us for now. Well, not crying is his best way of communicating. And laughter is God's gift to us tired parents today. Happy parents. God is good to give us this life.
I will laugh as much as I can.