For 31 years, June 21 was just another day on the calendar. For me it didn't have any special significance other than sometimes it was Father's Day or sometimes it was the first day of summer. Since 2014, when our son, Will, decided to arrive three and a half weeks early it suddenly became a very important day. Last year, June 21 gained eternal meaning when we celebrated Will's first birthday, Father's Day, and my Dad's passing after a battle with cancer.

There are many things about Will that often remind me of my Dad and I'm grateful for the joy that is deep within him. Whenever we celebrate a milestone occasion in my family, my Dad would always write a song. So it was no surprise when he wrote Will a song shortly after his birth. I am going to share the words to the song he wrote along with two pictures today as a way to remember what a gift God has given me in my Dad and my son. The first photo is my Dad with Will within a few days of him being born. The second one is Will with my Dad a few days before he passed when we celebrated Father's Day. We gave him a frame with the words to the song and a photograph of him with his two grandsons.

May these words be a reminder to you that "in life and death we belong to God".

Moments and Memories

His little heart was beating, before his time was due
We couldn't have help but wonder, what a journey he'd been through
We thought, we planned, we wondered, what God had put in store
Could never have imagined, it would be so much more
Now when his time had come, his moment to arrive
We knew his destination, was not to be denied
His tiny toes and fingers, and captivating eyes
Remind us God's miracles, were really no surprise

Chorus
The moments and the memories, 
this child will surely bring
The laughter, tears and heartaches,
and lullabies we'll sing
And when the day is over, 
and you think you've done your part
His tiny hands will touch you, 
cause he's tugging at your heart.

Prayer for Today

Gracious God, you are both the giver and renewer of life. Guide us in our day to see those places where you give life and renew life for us. In Christ's Name, Amen.