Happy Birthday, Colin!
In honor of my friend, Michele Jeffers, I want to share her recent post with you. I met Michele in Washington while our husbands were stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. After hearing her testimony and spending time together, I couldn't help but fall in love with her. She has an amazing story of transformation and redemption and she lives with such tenacity and drive to simply love like Jesus does.Michele was a very young, single mom, who beat the odds at every turn. She had her son at the age of 17, finished high school and graduated at the top of her class. She earned a college degree while working 20 hours a week, in just 3 years.While she was accomplishing these amazing tasks, remember she was raising her son with severely special needs.
After graduating and starting her first job (all before age 21), she met the love of her life, Woodi, on a blind date. And they married just 5 months later.Michele's son, Colin, turned 18 last week. He is older than she was when she gave birth to him. Not only has he taught his parents and siblings what it means to simply love, he has taught everyone who has been privileged to know the Jeffers family.One of the qualities I love about Michele is that she shares from her heart the difficulties of raising a child like Colin. She doesn't just share the victories, but she is willing to invite you in to the nitty gritty, the extremely tough days when she realizes if Jesus doesn't show up in a mighty way, she may not make it. And even so, she wouldn't change her life one bit.She realizes the great privilege and responsibility she has in being Colin's Mom. Her focus remains on allowing God to redeem her story so that her whole life reflects His great love. And she looks forward to the day when Jesus says very tenderly to her, "Well, d
one, Michele. I knew I chose just the right Mommy for my precious Colin."She and Woodi have been blessed with two more children and together they exemplify a simple love and trust in Jesus.Be encouraged as you read her thoughts...THIS GUY! H
e is 18 today!As much as we are celebrating him today, I have to be honest that I am celebrating me a little bit too. I am so proud that we are here walking into adulthood together... WE MADE IT!Of course we did.... but seriously, I. felt. every. year.It didn't fly by in the blink of an eye.This one was hard fought and pushed me to the limits of what I thought I could do and who I thought I was and what I thought life was supposed to be... and it was totally worth it.Every single one of those 35,000+ diaper changes was worth it, every single time I got scratched or hit or yelled at was worth it, every single hours long doctors appointment, sleepless night, or early morning wake up was worth it, every single time I had to walk into a meeting with the school, 20 administrators to 1 me, was worth it. Every single time I had to see the stares or jokes, or deal with a complete meltdown or public outburst was worth it.Every single time.... taught me tostand up for justice no matter the cost and even if you stand by yourself,to serve another human in tangible, real, authentic ways even when you don't really want to and you kinda hate every second of it except you don't really,to find love and hope in every situation because no matter what it's always there,to take the next step even when you feel completely lost and ill equipped,to practice extreme amounts of compassion and grace for others because life is just. so. hard. sometimes,to give generously... we always have something to give even if it's just a smile and a kind word,to encourage endlessly because we all need it desperately,to ENJOY life because worry and angst doesn't change anything......to realize that spending a lifetime trapped in a body that doesn't work, being totally dependent on another person to enter into your world and cut up your food so you don't choke, learn your rudimentary language so you can get a drink of juice or that show on tv that you really love but you can't do it yourself, carry you to the tub and make sure you get all your parts clean, help you process your emotions when you are struggling to make sense of your life and this world.... that is the real struggle and it is instead an honor to be chosen as someone who gets to know you and walk beside you.So, to my so
n, Colin.... THANK YOU for being so patient with me year after year as I try with every piece of myself to show you the love and gentleness that you deserve. You are absolutely the BEST human I have ever known.And, to you my friends and family..... THANK YOU for linking arms with me and bringing a joy to my life that has kept me going when life was just plain difficult. You most of all Woodi Jeffers!Can you all just stop what you are doing right this minute and send up a prayer, warm wish, or round of applause for all the moms and dads who are in our same position.... it would mean the world to me and them.