Turning Eight!

Today is another celebration day for our family. It’s Zachary’s eighth birthday!

While the most expected response from parents regarding a child becoming a year older is disbelief that their little one is growing up, our Zachary has always been a bit “older”. Many of his firsts – talking, potty training, riding a bike, swimming, and such - came much earlier in life than his older brothers merely because he watched and learned from their examples.

A bundle of energy, confidence, athleticism, and creativity, Zachary holds the center of attention as he entertains family and friends. For as long as he has been talking, he has been making people laugh.

As lively and social as Zachary is, he will give up almost anything to go on a date with me, his mom! I treasure these special times together, knowing that in the future another girl will rightly take my place.

Zachary enjoys sports, crafts, books, and action figures, but his interest in animals stands out the most. He hopes to own a farm or a zoo when he is an adult. In order to earn money for this endeavor, he claims his “first job” will be as a monster truck driver or a motorcycle cop.

When it comes to academics, my youngest has been perhaps the most challenging of the boys to teach in school. He has always preferred playing outside (throwing balls, riding his bike, and acting out hero vs. villain scenarios) over learning colors, numbers, and letters. But who can blame him? School can be fun, but not quite as exciting as the adventures waiting outside for a young boy!

I appreciate the classic comic strip Family Circle which reassures me that perhaps Zachary is a typical little boy. When getting from point A to point B, Zachary is incapable of taking a straight path. Furthermore, he is likely to return to point A without ever reaching B, usually needing a reminder of his assigned destination. There are just too many exciting stops and interesting diversions along the way that prevent him from completing, or even recalling, his task.

Zachary’s curiosity with life has its advantages. He pays attention really well when listening to science, history, and Bible lessons in school. Moreover, he asks lots of questions, helping him retain what he has learned.

Recently, while studying a Bible verse for Awanas, he asked for an explanation because, to him, this particular verse seemed to suggest that God thinks wisdom is foolish. His careful reading and disturbance at what he did not believe to be true caused him to immediately seek clarification, enabling me to explain the meaning. While constant questions can be irritating to a busy mom, I am thankful for his inquisitiveness which helps him learn more about God and His Word.

Zachary is a born-again believer, like his parents and brothers. He sought the Lord for well over a year, attempting to understand God’s love, grace, and mercy. He asked numerous questions and prayed regularly for clarity so that he could become a Christian. Finally, Mike and I realized that instead of helping our young son by encouraging him to “wait a little longer”, we were frustrating him and holding him back from the relationship with God he sincerely desired. At age six, he prayed to the Lord, confessing his sinfulness and asking Jesus to be the Savior he knew he needed.

Our biggest prayer for Zachary is that he continues to develop His relationship with Jesus throughout his life. We give thanks for the evidence of spiritual growth we see in him.

We cherish every moment God has given us with our imaginative, intense, and full of life child. We love Zachary dearly and look forward to many more birthdays – and all the days in between - with our youngest son.

“May He grant you according to your heart’s desire, and fulfill all your purpose.” Psalm 20:4