Rhett- I'm learning!

 We went to our niece's wedding today (By the way, congratulations Brooke and Keaton!), and we had several people say they couldn't believe how much Rhett has grown. I guess it's because I'm with him everyday, but only recently have I noticed how much Rhett has grown up over the past year.  He is only 11, and sometimes he acts like he's 3, but most of the time I'm amazed at how he just "gets" things.  At times I feel like I'm talking to an adult.  Other times I want to pinch his little ears off!  Today he said, "Mom, you're embarrassing me and nobody is even around!" Last week he went with us to youth camp for the first time as one of the "youth".  Oh my, that was strange!  As I think back over the years of ministry, I think about the youth that I have seen grow in their walk with the Lord and several I've seen come to know Christ and others who have been called to full-time ministry.  These are exciting things to be a part of, and I count it a HUGE privilege to be a youth minister's wife and get to see this awesome stuff!  But I have to say, the greatest thing I've seen thus far is seeing my own son saved and seeing him worship our amazing Lord with freedom.  It blesses my heart!  Is he perfect?  NO!  After all, he has genes from Joey and me- poor kid!  But precious, yes.  I will never forget the day that I was rocking him when he was about 2 weeks old and I burst into tears.  I was by myself and I just remember being overwhelmed with a love that I have never felt before.  I remember thanking God for this awesome gift and saying "I just love him so much".  I felt God speak to my spirit saying, "I love you more than that".  Wow!  This was such a humbling experience!  I think for the first time I caught of glimpse of Jesus's unconditional, sacrificial love for me.  He has taught me so much through my boys.  When I think that God loves me, an undeserving sinner, so much that He watched His only Son die so that I could have a love relationship with Him it overwhelms my spirit.  I will never understand the depth of His love, but I am so thankful for it.  I wish I could say I live every day to bring Him the glory He deserves, but I would be lying.  I have so far to go, and I am thankful that my relationship with Him doesn't depend on what I have done, but on what He has done.  He is so good.  I remember one day when Rhett was little and he was discovering shadows, we were walking and he said "there's mommy and there's Rhett", pointing to our shadows.  He got really close to me as we walked and we could only see my shadow because mine covered his.  He said, "I see mommy, I not see Rhett."  At that moment, God showed me that I need to be walking so close to Him that when others look at me they only see Him because He covers me.  I hope as I grow in my walk with Him others will see Him and not me, and my life will bring Him glory.  I can't tell you what a difference He has made in my life.  Is my life perfect?  Oh, no!  Are there rough days?  You better believe it!  But I still have peace and joy in my heart that could have only come from Him, and I'm never alone.  You can argue with me all day about opinions and theology and everything else, but you can't argue with me about what I know He has done in me.  I hope if you are still reading this you know what I'm talking about when I talk about a personal relationship with Christ.  If you do not, I'd love to share with you.  You will never be the same, I guarantee it!  If you have searched for peace for your life and joy in your heart and you are still empty, I want to introduce you to the only One who can change your life.  He loves you so much, and it's not just words.  He has demonstrated His love for you in that while you were a sinner, He died for you.  Yep, for YOU!!!!  He thinks you are worth it!