Saturday, September 7, 2019

Our 8-Year-Old Reuben

Eight years ago Reuben made his appearance in this world.

His long gentle labor was such an answer to prayer and this same style has followed him as he's grown. Reuben is so laid-back and gentle in his manner and it takes a lot to provoke him to anger. But he has an amazing strength about him, a gentle strength that he uses to help and take care of people, especially his younger brothers, and do the heavy lifting in the house work. Like all of us, he has his weaknesses, but God has blessed him with such a tender heart and it's a blessing to see this as he grows.

Building is one of Reuben's favorite activies. He can build out of any medium and when he builds from what he's learning it's so fun. He tries different things from his mind and he has the best creations. I love seeing him work to figure out how to make something. He's now doing this with words and language a well and it's amazing to see how God has made Reuben to envision and put things together. In the same vein, he is wonderful at puzzles and enjoys putting them together.


While Reuben loves running around outside and playing Lord of the Rings or The Wingfeather Saga with his brothers, he also hates to be hot! So after enjoying outside time early on, Reuben loves to get into his book work and read. He has grown tremendously in reading and spelling this year as well as grown in comprehension. He LOVES to learn! His favorite book is a book of Classics for Boys from Usborne that he has read five or six times. He also loves reading to the babies and teaching them when he's not learning himself. It's been such a joy to watch his imagination grow as he reads or listen to excellent stories read.

Reuben has also been working hard to learn Scripture in many avenues. He is all about learning it as well as the answers that the Bible has for our life. While there is no saving faith yet, it's a blessing to see him having a desire to learn and grow in knowledge. He enjoys church activities greatly and always wants to be where the church is.

Reuben loves people, but also doesn't mind being alone. It's a blessing to see him grown in learning to be alone as well as work with people. He loves his siblings and enjoys building, playing and just being with them. He just goes with the flow for the most part and is such a sweet calm most of the time. We're so blessed to have Reuben in our family and so thankful God has given him to us!

Father, thank You for Reuben and his sweet spirit. He is such a blessing from You and our family is better because of him. Thank You for the calm temperment you have placed in him and his love for people. How I pray that You will reveal his sin to him, convict him and turn him to the saving grace of Jesus! Show him you deep love and bring him into true life with You! In Jesus Name. Amen!