Sheila Sims Iding
You don’t get to pick your children. (Unless you are one of the earth angels who adopt children. Then you have a special mission for God and I will always admire you for that.) But…for most of us…we don’t get to pick our children. I wanted 5 daughters. I came from a family of 3 girls (all with names starting with “S”) and I wanted more. I wanted 5. All their names would start with the letter “M”…or “A”…or “E”. I had a plan. So did God. As much as I wanted 5 daughters: Emma (Emmy); Elizabeth (Libby); Elaine (Laney); Elise (Elise); Eleanor (Ellie)…God sent me three boys. It’s not what I ordered.
I know God’s will prevails over a mother’s selfish desires. I have learned that the hard way more than once. (I am slow learner…and apparently need plenty of real life visual aids.) But I got to thinking…if I could order a son from a catalog…what specifications would I look for? What boxes of options would I check? What would I be willing to pay extra for? If God had a catalog for a son…what would I order?
Well…like all special orders, you want to get it right so you make a list:
Dark hair (with a bit of curl) and green eyes.
A few freckles…especially in the summer when he is little.
An inherit love of cars and an innate sense of business
A gentle love for animals and babies…especially his Godson.
A body strong enough to fight off illness in his first years, (I’ll pay extra for this)
Strong enough to fight for a puck in the corner
Strong enough to run a marathon.
A mind strong enough to fight through learning in grade school
Make honor roll in high school
Dean’s list in college
Earn a master’s degree…with honors.
A sense of humor that would get him in trouble and
get him some laughs (all at the same time).
A sense of family that would help him put others first
especially if they are sad or sick or hurting…or all three.
An inner map that would allow for taking the high road especially
When dealing with family,
With relationships,
With professors,
With life.
A courage that would appreciate the safety of a harbor but embrace the
challenge of taking the risk of uncharted waters.
A faith that would question God and His answers and still have faith in faith.
This may seem an odd request and it’s probably not in big demand so it may even be in the “clearance” section of this special catalog,
but I would like him to have some adversity, some challenges and some heartaches…
the ones that knock you to your knees to pick up the pieces and
require getting stronger as you recover and stand up and move on.
Also, just for fun, I would add :
a love for simple things in life (a lake, a log cabin, a truck and a golden retriever)
a craving for M&M’s, red licorice and healthy food
an excitement for Christmas movies, Christmas music, Christmas everything!
A longing for cool autumn days and a preference for cloudy days over sunny ones (just like his mom).
Lastly, I would like for his strong Canadian blood to be filled with determination, perseverance and compassion. Three of his papa’s favorite words…and attributes.
Please engrave the gift with the name of Adam Thomas Iding (Not Elizabeth or any other “E” name.) Could you please wrap him in Your love and protect him with Your mercy? And could you send him special delivery on his Grandpa Barrons’ birthday…March 16th? No need to enclose a receipt. I know the gift is non-returnable and i know the cost: priceless.
Happy, Blessed birthday, Adam Thomas Iding!!
PS: Dear God…Please disregard that previous order for the 5 daughters. This 3rd son makes my order complete. He makes my life complete. But, I guess, You knew that all along. Thank you for this special gift. Love and prayers, Addy’s mom