She treasured all these things in her heart

She treasured all these things in her heart... Luke 2: 41-52

Patricia Ann. Originally posted on Wednesday, February 04, 2015

Today is my son's 18th birthday.  
As I think back over the last 18 years, I reflect on the joys that he has given to me. Smelling the freshness of his breath as a newborn baby, holding him in my arms for the very first time and how awesome the sound of a baby's cry is as it takes its first breath of air in this world!  
It is just amazing to know that our God is so wonderful that He allows us the joys of being a mom or dad in this world. 

Sure, there have been trying times. Like when my son was just 36 hours old and he turned almost black because he couldn't breathe! I was so afraid I was going to lose my new baby. A couple of days in the hospital proved he was going to be okay, but I never stopped praying to God for my little baby boy. 
And I have prayed every day for the past 18 years for God to keep my son in His glorious presence, holding him, teaching him and protecting him with the angels assigned to him.  
And I have known that my son isn't really my son at all, but a wonderful child of our Father in Heaven and I have been blessed with the opportunity to love this child unconditionally with a mother's love and a joy in my heart as I have watched him grow into a young man.  
I remember how much my son wanted to learn to read and how wonderful it was reading Bible stories with him at bedtime. As he grew, we skipped rocks, went fishing, and we rode bikes. When he was older, he loved learning to cook and finally learned to drive. That was fun! 

I think of Mary and how much she loved her son, Jesus. She valued him, not only as her son, but as the Son of God.

She knew from the beginning that her son was special and she took very good care of him. Oh, how she loved Jesus.

I remember her worrying when she couldn't find Him when visiting Jerusalem:
   Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when He became twelve, they went up there according to the custom of the Feast; and as they were returning, after spending the full number of days, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. But His parents were unaware of it, but supposed Him to be in the caravan, and went a day’s journey; and they began looking for Him among their relatives and acquaintances. When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem looking for Him. Then, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers.

When they saw Him, they were astonished; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You treated us this way? Behold, Your father and I have been anxiously looking for You.” And He said to them, “Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” But they did not understand the statement which He had made to them. And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He continued in subjection to them; and His mother treasured all these things in her heart.
And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. Luke 2:41-52

Just as Mary, the mother of our Savior, loved and treasured all these things in her heart, I treasure the experiences I have had with my son. And I have known that my son isn't really my son at all, but a wonderful gift, and also a child of our Father in Heaven. 
And... I have been truly blessed.
As I pray that my son seeks continually our Father's presence in his life. I also pray that we love our children and cherish them as gifts from God. Let us place them in His glorious presence, knowing He is holding them, teaching them and protecting them with the angels God has assigned to them.  
I bow in praise and honor to our Father in Heaven for the amazing miracle of birth and for His creation, and His children born every day into this world.  May they all come to know Him and give Him the praise He deserves. 
Blessings to all in Jesus' precious name, Amen.