My grandson, Luke, heads off this morning for his first day of school. He's officially registered and his parents did the "meet and greet" with his teacher yesterday. I'm wondering the same thing his parents probably are: how did we get here so fast?
It seems like only yesterday that I and a bunch of family members were waiting to hear the good news of Luke's birth. He was a beautiful boy (aren't all grandchildren!). We looked for every opportunity we could - and we even invented a few - to come and see Luke and hold him and just gush all over him.
As he began to grow his parents and Sherri and I noticed that Luke was not making the normal noises that most toddlers make. He wasn't learning to speak words like other little ones of his age. His parents took him to a number of doctors and speech therapists for diagnosis. Meanwhile, our family began to offer one particular petition to the Lord every time we prayed: "Lord, loosen his tongue!"
Finally, Luke was diagnosis with apraxia and he began to receive therapy from a caring and compassionate speech therapist. Over many months Luke worked very hard. He began to form words...then sentences...his speech becoming clearer with each passing week.
God answered our prayers. Boy, did He ever! Luke's tongue was loosened. There are times now when we wish he would be a little more quiet. But, really, Luke's speech is like music to our ears. And it is another reminder of God's amazing grace, for which we give our heartfelt thanks and praise.
Have a great day, Luke! Nana and Papa love you!
