Shortly after we found out that we were expecting Ryan, Ron was laid off from his job. For over five months, we prayed, and Ron explored every avenue to find work. Our insurance ran out, and I had to receive prenatal care through the public health department. We were so discouraged. And then the hospital called to say that they expected payment for the delivery and hospital stay, before I was admitted! (Can anyone say "blood from a turnip"?)
Then word came that some of the employees were going to be called back to work. Ron asked the manager when insurance benefits would be reinstated. "The minute you begin working again," was the reply. Ryan was due to be born at any time, so we began to play the waiting game as we waited to see whether the baby or the job would come first! And Ryan was born eleven days after my due date (that was probably the last time he has been late!), Ron was back at work, and full insurance benefits were reinstated. The Lord had faithfully met our needs, in His own way, in His own time. (And as a result of this time of unemployment, Ron was eventually hired by the company that he works for today.)
Ryan brought joy as a rather quiet baby with a ready smile and lots of blonde curls. He brought joy as a little boy who loved teddy bears and was enamored with fire fighting. He brought joy as an inquisitive boy who played Army, and hid his broccoli, and dug up a large portion of the backyard looking for the bones of a dead raccoon. He brought joy as he read lots of books, and played the guitar, and loved his dog Buster, and loved God's creation. And he brought joy as he began to love the truth and love the Lord.
Now Ryan is a man who loves the Lord, who is a devoted husband and father, who is a responsible employee. We miss him every single day, but we know he is where he is supposed to be, and we rejoice in the man he has become. He still brings joy to our world!
Happy Birthday, Ryan!
"A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother."
We miss him, too. It was sad tonight because the kids remember calling him last year on his birthday when the time difference wasn't quite so great. We had to tell them that they would be in bed by the time he got home from work. :-(
ReplyDeleteOh Cheryl .... how beautiful! This is far better than any birthday card you could have given Ryan. Aren't the pictures sweet? Look at those curls! Mark had a head full of curls at that age, too. People were always mistaking him for a girl, even though he was dressed in blue. I know the greatest blessing to your heart is that Ryan loves the Lord and follows Him. The most important thing in life. Happy Birthday, Ryan!
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful post!
ReplyDeletei agree, look at those curls. how wonderful for your son to be able to read this & know how much his parents loved him before he was even born.
i love your new header picture. it looks so inviting.
hope you are having a great weekend!
many many blessings!
kellie
well, this brought tears to my eyes....(what else is new?!) beautiful...
ReplyDeletejennifer c.