Today is Faith's 4th birthday. I have been thinking about what an amazing gift she is to me. She is many things, but these come to mind first: she is kind, observant, curious and loves Jesus.
We were in Target a couple of nights ago where they have a kiosk that plays random music from the CD's for sale. "Jesus Loves Me" was one of the songs playing. Faith heard it and came running down the aisle toward me yelling, "Jesus, Jesus!"
My devotional today included Judges 2 in which a whole generation grows up not learning about God and what He had done for their parents. It ended badly, that much you can probably guess. I was remembering my upbringing and thinking about the generations before me. Only my paternal grandmother was a true believer. I have a couple of distinct memories of her sharing Jesus with me, but it wasn't enough to make a lasting impact.
I am purposefully raising my children to know God's love and grace and to see the freedom that Jesus has given me. I believe there's no greater gift I could give them. They are being pointed toward a firm foundation to stand on when life is complicated and messy and when it's sweet and lovely. They are receiving a heritage from me, however short it is, that I hope and pray they will continue. And, if they choose to accept it, they will receive an inheritance of riches from the Lord. Only He knows what that includes, but I love to think about what it is!
My greatest desire is that I will one day stand before God with all three of my children. I can think of nothing that could possibly mean more to me.
Ephesians 1:17-19
17For I always pray to the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, that He may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation of insight into mysteries and secrets in the deep and intimate knowledge of Him,
18 By having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones),
19 And so that you can know and understand what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength,
First of all, I LOVE the photo of Faith. What a fun moment, capturing her personality and spunk and joy of life...beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteAnd also, as always, wonderful post. May the Holy Spirit empower us to raise these little ones well!! I have faith that He is at work in their little hearts and minds even now...thanks be to God!
i like to think of that too katie. wonderful post.
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