Matthew's Circle of Life, It's Just The Beginning

"For This Child We Have Prayed"

Matthew Levyn Polanco was born April 13th 2011. His mommy and daddy spent close to 10 years working to get Matthew into the world. Lots of hope, prayers, tears and love was invested in the creation of Matthew.

Now that he has arrived and right on time according to God's schedule, it was time for mom and dad to fulfill their end of the bargain.

The bargain was quite simple: honor us with a child Lord so we may raise him in your glory.

And now on October 1, 2011, we gathered to welcome Matthew to the world, celebrate the miracle of birth and present him to the Lord.

Matthew's mommy is my wife's Cousin. They have honored us with the opportunity to stand as Godparents to Matthew. Being a Godparent is not just an honor but a responsibility. My wife and I will help, love, and support not only Matthew but Matthew's parents in raising him to be a good man who walks in the path of God.

Then they asked us to say a few words... oh $#!7...

Well, after much thought, here's what me and the wife put together. Initially a speech and now it is more like a love letter...

Dear Matthew,

So while getting ready for this day, the opening scene from The Lion King kept coming up.

You know the beginning, right? Where all the animals gather to welcome the new lion cub. They hold him up and present him to heaven and earth.

This got me thinking...

What IS that crazy monkey chanting at the beginning of the film?

"Nants ingonyama bagithi Baba!!!"

So, I "googled" it.

It looks like the translation is:

"Here comes a lion, Father!!!"

And the song they sing as you know, is:

"The Circle of Life"

As human beings, when we come into this world, we leave behind our infinite nature and enter this world into our own circle of life.

Our challenges, experiences, joys, discoveries, blessings, pains, loss, victories, and miracles will be unique to each of us.

BUT! One thing will remain consistent for each of us in the circle of life.

Each of us in our own way will strive to reconnect with that infinite nature we left behind.

We will come to know our infinite nature through God, The Father.

Which brings us to today...

God, The Father has given us all a miraculous blessing in Matthew and today we celebrate Matthew as he enter his circle of life and begins his spiritual journey.

As Matthew travels he too will meet with challenges, experiences, joys, discoveries, blessings, pains, loss, victories, and miracles.

He has so many gifts to discover. So many choices to make. Which is one of God's greatest gifts to man. The ability to choose.

Matthew, Neffertti and I will be here for you. To support you, guide you, comfort you and encourage you along the way to help you choose the right path.

At the beginning we want you to know two things...

Two important pieces of wisdom.

The first piece of wisdom came to us from my dear sweet grandmother who I know is shining down on us all today. This is a quote she carried with her until she rejoined her infinite nature.

It goes like this...

"Have No Fear for what tomorrow may bring. The same loving God who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow and every day. He will either shield you from suffering or give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, then, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations."

- St. Frances de Sales

Now the second part of this wisdom for your journey is meant to build on what you just learned. This quote was taken from Marianne Williamson's book "A Return to Love"

And here is that quote...

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.' We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

(A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of "A Course in Miracles", Harper Collins, 1992. From Chapter 7, Section 3])

Thank you and hakuna matata!

We wrapped up the day well spent with family and friends. And a sleeping Matthew...

It's an honor to be your Godparents little man!