A Mother's Thoughts on Her Son

I know the mother of a boy with a heart the size of Texas. While the boy was growing up, his mother had, sometimes, irrational thoughts of whether he would struggle or succeed in certain areas of his life. Other times, those thoughts weren't so irrational at all. She leaned on God, praying for her son everyday, and often, many times a day. There were times when she wondered, like some parents do, if "this" is what his life was going to be about. It was not what she had prayed and hoped for her little boy. Those days were some of the most difficult days of her life as they seemed to drag on forever with intense sorrow. However, her son's thoughts began to change after a while. She could see that he was finding a new heart. It was really the same one, but something was just a little different this time- a little bigger, a little better. Happiness and joy overshadowed the pain and grief. Her prayers for time, for understanding, for "something", had been replaced by prayers of thanksgiving. The most amazing things started to happen, but this time, with her. By her son's example, she could feel her own heart changing. She thought it seemed backwards for a mother to learn from a son, but that was what was taking place. Looking into his heart, she could see the heart that God wants us all to have. She wanted so much for her son, but God had given him so much more than she could have ever imagined. She is no longer concerned about the old days that controlled so many of her thoughts and took so much of her energy. She knows things may not always be the way they are now, that the darkness tries to creep it's way in whenever it can find room, but she has seen those brighter days. She is confident and has faith that no matter what comes in his life, he will remember the One who has blessed him beyond measure. I know her every thought because I am that mother of the boy, the man, with a heart the size of Texas.

Today is my son's 21st birthday. He has surpassed my hopes for him. I am proud to be the mother of Jesse. I never imagined my life could be so blessed by someone that is a part of me.

Happy Birthday, Jesse.