where waves grow sweet

My son, Cole, enlisted in the Navy right out of high school. Having been a single mom for much of his life, we had a particular closeness and it was hard – good hard – to leave him at the recruiting office where he would ship off to boot camp in Illinois, then to South Carolina for two years of training (which is nearly finished), and then off to wherever he will be stationed before plunging down into the sea for months at a time in a sub.

It wasn’t an easy transition, especially since Cole is not much of a communicator. It’s not that he doesn’t love people. He just kind of absorbs himself in his current environment and doesn’t often reach out past it. I don’t guilt him on the issue. His program is intensive and his Navy life is full. Plus he’s an introvert. But you’d better believe if that whistle textone reaches my ears, my heart flutters like a schoolgirl. And if I hear the robot ringtone I’ve used for him since middle school, you’d best get out of my way.

Frankly, I don’t even care what he has to say. He could text to tell me he had spaghetti for lunch and I would be touched. It’s the fact that he is choosing to connect with me. I usually don’t hear from him about day-to-day stuff, but always when he has purchased a new vehicle, weapon or tattoo. He can chat endlessly about the technical aspects of a really fast motorcycle. His quirk comes out in the photos he sends of new purchases, like his 1952 Rambler or the ambulance he now owns (yes, an ambulance). And, goodness gracious, that boy is getting tattoos at breakneck speed. Other times, the calls aren’t so light-hearted. Like when he totalled his motorcycle and was able to limp away from it. Or when his friend totalled his and wasn’t so fortunate. Those are the times I am especially glad I am available, always listening for those ringtones that belong only to him.

Though it is hard to wrap my head around, especially since He has a few billion kids, this is how God feels about each of us. Every. Single. One. We each have a special ringtone and His heart is thrilled to hear it. Because He loves us and even likes us, despite whatever flaws we are riddled with. It is the connection that matters; the fact that whatever we are experiencing, we want to share it with Him. Not only is He the best listener, but if we will give Him an opportunity to respond, He can impart to us what we need at that moment – be it friendship, wisdom, comfort, or hope. We were made for this relationship, but He will never guilt us if we don’t show up. He will just keep loving us, sending care packages and always keeping an open ear for the voice of His kids.

“We love because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19