In a recent meeting at work, the group was asked to share what motivated and inspired them. I knew that my answer was “my family,” but I just couldn’t think up a story to explain how they inspired me. It wasn’t until I got into my car and started home that my inspirational story hit me like a ton of bricks. It was a story that I swore I would never forget and yet when asked on the spot, I couldn’t recall it. I share it with you now with the hopes that I will truly never forget it.
When pregnant with child number two, my husband, Josh, and I focused on child number one. We really wanted to share with Preston, then nearing three, what it meant to be a big brother - the responsibilities he would have, the sharing that was about to start happening, the abrupt change in his life as he currently knew it. Josh and I wondered how Preston would handle a new baby sister. Would he want to hold her? Would he want to pick her up by the neck like he picks up baby kittens? Would he beg us to send her back where she came from because she cried all the time? Would it even be possible that he could love her?? We weren’t sure what to expect, so we tried our best to prepare him.
While I was pregnant, Preston learned to pray for his baby sister. “Lord, please help Emory to grow big and strong and healthy.” He would talk to her and give her sugars via my belly button. It was so sweet to see him loving his sister inside my tummy. Only time would tell how he would react to the new change coming in his life.
My proud mommy moment came when Emory was just a few days old. We were home from the hospital and had begun our sleepless night routine. One morning when Emory was crying and crying and nothing seemed to work, Preston simply walked up to her and began singing “Jesus Loves Me.” She immediately calmed down! My heart overflowed with pride, and my eyes overflowed with tears. It was that moment that my oldest child, who was not yet three, reminded me of a very important lesson. Calling on the name of Jesus can change things in a heartbeat.
Now, five months later, Preston still sings “Jesus Loves Me” when she cries, and my heart still melts every time. Never mind that the reason Emory is crying is because he just tried to pick her up by the neck like a baby kitten!!
Julie Swink is a Sr. Marketing Specialist for Texas Health Resources and mother of two.
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