Last year, after Mary’s birth on the exact one year anniversary of losing our son Henry, a good friend said, “Now you have two children with birthdays on August third!”

Today one of the birthdays is easy to celebrate. We have gifts and cake all ready to enjoy, but to be honest we celebrate Mary’s birth in our hearts every time we look at her. The timing of her arrival leaves us in awe of an all-powerful God. 

The other birthday takes faith and an eternal perspective to embrace. My weak human heart just wants to hold Henry again and be there to guide him as he grows up and celebrates birthday after birthday each year. Every year I get to spend with each of our kids is so special and sometimes I get focused on what I’ve lost with Henry.  

With an eternal perspective, I can celebrate Henry’s birthday today as well – his birthday to his new life and new body. I can stand on my faith and see him living in perfection with his creator who loves him more than I can comprehend. I see him happy and energetic and completely content – never wanting to leave. I can hardly wait to join him there.

So today, on August 3rd, we celebrate a God who was, who is, and who is to come. We celebrate His unending, unimaginable love for each of us. We celebrate His provision in life and His victory over death.