He was
born weeks premature and spent the first 13 days of his life in the NICU. His
bumpy start made him susceptible to multiple respiratory viruses. So his
earliest years involved a handful of overnight stays in the hospital.
Eventually his lungs became stronger and despite some minor hearing loss from
severe infection, he has grown and developed so much that those days of
sickness and struggle are now only distant memories.
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| His personality was seen early on... |
Because
of his July birthday, Chan has always been one of the youngest in his class.
For some of the reasons I mentioned above, he was often behind in early
elementary school. In fact, there was considerable thought given to holding him
back to do first grade again. Similarly to his childhood illness, academic
adversity is also only faintly seen in the rear-view, as today Chan is thriving
scholastically.
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| Mama & Chan watching baseball |
There
is more that could be shared but this is not the time or place. Let’s just say
that there were challenges to his childhood and moments of fear he should have
never had to face. That being said, it is amazing to see where Chan is today. He
is one of the most tender and compassionate children I know. Yes, I am biased
without a doubt, but I have also known many children and students, and I must
tell you, this guy is a stinkin’ sweetheart. Brittany and I often talk about
how we will not be surprised if one of these days Chan tells us that he is
headed overseas for missions.
He is
deep-thinker and deep-feeler, and emotionally responsive well beyond most his
age. Sometimes these emotions are precious to see, while other times they serve
as a reminder of all he’s experienced. I bring these things up today because
they are in the forefront of my mind and heavy on my heart. There is something
about seeing one of our kiddos turning 10 that makes me super-sentimental and
contemplative. A lot has happened over the years, but one major constant
emerges in my reflection.
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| Every girl's crazy 'bout a sharp-dressed Chan! |
I do
not write about Chandler’s hardships to highlight how hardworking of a kid he
is. I don’t reminisce on his early physical ailments to speak of his
resilience. While he is in a solid-school district and part of a
gospel-centered church family that loves him dearly, neither can claim
responsibility for his scholastic and spiritual growth. Additionally, my wife
and I have no place to boast, for we do our best just to stay out of the way.
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| Chan & his best buddy J in Haiti |
No, the
one constant, the one thing that has remained throughout our middle-child’s
life, is God’s grace. How did he make it out of the hospital? What turned on
the lights of understanding for him? Why were his spiritual eyes opened to come
to a saving knowledge of Christ at the young age of 8? How can the Spirit stir
Chan, even though he’s a pre-adolescent? Grace, grace, grace, and more grace!
Today
we celebrate far more than Chandler’s birthday, we rejoice at God’s
faithfulness through the years. We enjoy one of the treasures we have been
entrusted to raise, and we praise the One who has given him to us. Every day is
special, yes, each day a gift from God. Yet sometimes we need pause and reflect
a little bit longer; occasionally deeper contemplation is required. Through ups
and downs, highs and lows, sickness, health, success, and failures, God’s grace
has covered it all, and He promises that His goodness will govern every
unforeseen step that lays ahead. As I think of our Chan Man and God’s plan for
His life, I’m reminded of a line from that classic hymn, “’Tis Grace has brought (him) safe thus far, and Grace will lead (him)
home.”
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| Right before Chandler's baptism... Matt Fowler Associate Pastor of Missions & Students matt@nbchurch.info @fattmowler |
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