"That a boy!"
On this long day, an array of emotions linked with anticipation, time stood still at 7:17 p.m. on November 17th, 1999. The vast sounds of beeping medical instruments, vocal commands of the doctor, and communication of the assistants and nurses, quickly faded to a dull hum; comparable to that of closing your ears with your fingers or being underwater. The only sound penetrating this moment was the rhythm of my heartbeat which had now considerably picked up the tempo. Then I faintly heard the voice of the doctor say, "Look." His hands were moving beneath the 7lb 3oz, 21" long, human body to lift him in what seemed to be slow motion. This picturesque moment allowed me to capture details that raised my awareness of the beauty in what God had just granted. I first noticed the darker portions of his hair curled while wet against his head. His nostrils flared wide and he had small dimples in his cheeks. The fullness of sound returned when I heard the words, "It's a boy." Deven Spence had arrived. Tears of joy flowed.
To know I now had a son brought indescribable feelings. Since that moment, the tempo of my heartbeat has increased many times. Some of which would be a negative response to his actions as a boy. But even those give way to positive because he's MY boy. Perhaps all regions of our country and even cultures around the world have a similar phrase of encouragement, "That a boy!" I know it's a common statement here in the south. I loved hearing my dad say it to me on occasions such as making good grades, catching a fish, or doing something of note on the baseball field. I have taken to the same phrase and said it many times to Deven to this point. From saying his first phrases, taking his first steps, watching his first movie (Yes, that was cool to me), quoting a Bible verse, speaking the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag, making good plays on the baseball field, and bringing home good grades. A natural, proud response from my lips is, "That a boy!" It's unfathomable to me that he is now 16. When he passes his driving test tomorrow, I'll be there to say, "That a boy!" When he graduates High School with honors, attends college and graduates with honors (speaking as though it were in faith), I'll be there to say, "That a boy!" All other facets of his life will allow me to continue to say, "That a boy!"
Of all that he will achieve and continue to make me proud as his dad, none can compare to seeing him surrender himself to the will of God and go after Him with a passionate heart worshipping in spirit and in truth. I stood in the back of our worship center last night during an outpouring of God's work in an altar service. The Holy Spirit was captivating everyone. My eyes caught a young man leaping, dancing, lifting his hands, and opening his mouth in worship that was in full abandon. That which our Heavenly Father seeks. The phrase I have been so familiar with took on a new meaning. I felt as though it resounded in His voice and not just mine. To see Deven, His son, that He has blessed Janyse and me with on this earth in that moment allowed for another instance in which time stood still and I soaked it in.
I beheld the beauty of his spinning and dancing in slow motion while the sounds of musical instruments and the vocal worship of hundreds faded to the familiar dull hum. I heard my heartbeat tempo increase coupled with the sound of God's voice saying, "That a boy!" Yet again, tears of joy flowed and I smile this day for when time stood still. We have been blessed every day since. I long to see Deven excel in God's purpose and pursue Him in true worship. No matter the mistakes and lessons of life that must be learned along the way, knowing his heart will be after God's, my voice will constantly shout, "That a boy!"
Every time I see him, my son, "d," time stands still, and it's 7:17 p.m. November 17th. Happy Birthday, Deven! I love you with all my heart.
To know I now had a son brought indescribable feelings. Since that moment, the tempo of my heartbeat has increased many times. Some of which would be a negative response to his actions as a boy. But even those give way to positive because he's MY boy. Perhaps all regions of our country and even cultures around the world have a similar phrase of encouragement, "That a boy!" I know it's a common statement here in the south. I loved hearing my dad say it to me on occasions such as making good grades, catching a fish, or doing something of note on the baseball field. I have taken to the same phrase and said it many times to Deven to this point. From saying his first phrases, taking his first steps, watching his first movie (Yes, that was cool to me), quoting a Bible verse, speaking the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag, making good plays on the baseball field, and bringing home good grades. A natural, proud response from my lips is, "That a boy!" It's unfathomable to me that he is now 16. When he passes his driving test tomorrow, I'll be there to say, "That a boy!" When he graduates High School with honors, attends college and graduates with honors (speaking as though it were in faith), I'll be there to say, "That a boy!" All other facets of his life will allow me to continue to say, "That a boy!"
Of all that he will achieve and continue to make me proud as his dad, none can compare to seeing him surrender himself to the will of God and go after Him with a passionate heart worshipping in spirit and in truth. I stood in the back of our worship center last night during an outpouring of God's work in an altar service. The Holy Spirit was captivating everyone. My eyes caught a young man leaping, dancing, lifting his hands, and opening his mouth in worship that was in full abandon. That which our Heavenly Father seeks. The phrase I have been so familiar with took on a new meaning. I felt as though it resounded in His voice and not just mine. To see Deven, His son, that He has blessed Janyse and me with on this earth in that moment allowed for another instance in which time stood still and I soaked it in.
I beheld the beauty of his spinning and dancing in slow motion while the sounds of musical instruments and the vocal worship of hundreds faded to the familiar dull hum. I heard my heartbeat tempo increase coupled with the sound of God's voice saying, "That a boy!" Yet again, tears of joy flowed and I smile this day for when time stood still. We have been blessed every day since. I long to see Deven excel in God's purpose and pursue Him in true worship. No matter the mistakes and lessons of life that must be learned along the way, knowing his heart will be after God's, my voice will constantly shout, "That a boy!"
Every time I see him, my son, "d," time stands still, and it's 7:17 p.m. November 17th. Happy Birthday, Deven! I love you with all my heart.
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