As the name of my blog indicates, I spend a lot of time thinking about home. Of course, my Heavenly Home is the one that is eternal, so that’s where I need to lay up my treasures, and that’s the one I’m striving for. But in the meantime, I have been given this tiny piece of the here-and-now—this home on the edge of town, this family, this neighborhood—in which to serve Him. And, though this is in the earthly realm, I want the things that happen here to be investments in the Heavenly realm.




Saturday, December 18, 2010

My Sarah's Birthday


I prayed for her many times...before I even knew her.

Here she is...a tiny girl, the youngest of seven siblings. No, I didn't know her (yet)...but I prayed for her.


Sarah with her siblings



Does anyone remember this Wayne Watson song?

Somewhere in the world today
A little girl will go out to play
All dressed up in mama's clothes
At least the way that I suppose it goes
Somewhere in the world tonight
Before she reaches to turn out the light
She'll be prayin' from a tender heart
A simple prayer that's a work of art

And I don't even know her name
But I'm prayin' for her just the same
That the Lord will write His name upon her heart
'Cause somewhere in the course of this life
A little boy will need a godly wife
So hold on to Jesus, baby wherever you are

Somewhere in the world out there
That little girl's learnin' how to care
She's pickin' up her mama's charms
Or maybe swingin' around in her daddy's arms
Somewhere in the world to be
Though the future's not really clear to me
Theirs could be a tender love
Grounded in eternal love above

And I don't even know her name
But I'm prayin' for her just the same
That the Lord will write His name upon her heart
'Cause somewhere in the course of this life
My little boy will need a godly wife
Oh, so hold on to Jesus, baby wherever you are
Oh, hold on to Jesus, baby wherever you are



Oh, that song touched a chord with me...I would cry every time I heard it! And I would also pray for that little girl who would one day be my son's wife.

I believe that my daughter-in-law Sarah was hand-selected for Ryan. (And he for her!)

In the interest of privacy, I don't use last names on this blog. But let me at least tell you that Ryan and Sarah almost shared a last name! Her maiden name is identical to our last name, except that hers ends in just "y", while ours ends in "ey".

Sarah also shares Ryan's sense of adventure. They hike, they backpack, they climb mountains, they travel, they tent-camp! A couple of years ago, they drove for hours and camped in the Rocky Mountains. Are you impressed? Would you be more impressed if I told you that they had a fourteen-month-old baby, Sarah was pregnant, and they brought their dog? And camped in a tent? (Either one of those facts would have been enough to make me stay home!)


Here's a picture of Sarah and Ryan the day they became engaged.



Sarah balances Ryan's life and his checkbook. They share a sense of humor. She is a loving mother to their three children, and makes a lovely home.

They have the same goals.
For several years, Sarah taught algebra and calculus to high school students, but they chose for Sarah to be home full-time to raise their children...so together they have moved across the country for Ryan's career.

Sarah is beautiful (and Ryan agrees!)...but her beauty is not only on the outside. She is also beautiful inside, reflecting the love of the Lord. She has the beauty of a "meek and quiet spirit" (I Peter 3:4).


Sarah and Nora on a backpacking excursion this summer


Today is Sarah's birthday, and I want her to know that, although I was not there the day she was born, I am so thankful that she became a part of my life!

Happy Birthday, Sarah!

6 comments:

  1. Cheryl, I think this is one of your most beautiful and moving and tender posts EVER. It is so full of the heart of a mother; that longing that is always there for her child, especially the longing for their spiritual welfare. The song lyrics bring tears to my eyes. And especially so because I know your Sarah; and as I read the lyrics, I can see the answer to your prayers (even before you knew her). The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen could ever tell. Happy Birthday, Dear Sarah.

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  2. Love this post. Love Sarah. And love what Francis quoted: "The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen could even tell."

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  3. Thanks so much, Mommey for this touching post. And thank you for praying for me long, long ago. I'm so glad I'm the one that God chose to be Ryan's wife...and consequently, part of your family.

    And thank you too, to Frances and Kristin for your sweet comments.

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  4. p.s.
    I haven't heard that song before. I'll have to look it up. After all, I have a son who will need a godly wife too. (Not to mention godly husbands for my daughters.)

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  5. Such a beautiful post, Cheryl. Yes, I remember that song, and it always inspired me to pray for my son's future mates as well. I hope my prayers are answered as beautifully as yours were! You are an answer to her prayers as well, I'm sure.

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  6. This is a beautiful post and I know exactly where you are coming from. I too, prayed for a special girl for many years before I met her. She will become my daughter-in-love this in July!

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