Month: February 2023

We get to celebrate another child’s birthday today! One turns fifteen and lives out her name daily. She brings joy and grace along in many, sometimes unnoticed, ways. You will not find her on a stage, but in the audience, cheering on her friends. You will not hear strong opinions coming from her very often, peace is more her nature. She laughs easy, asks questions often and sees deep into a persons heart. This one sits right in the middle, with three older siblings and three younger ones, comfortable in either group. She never takes herself or others too seriously, wisdom beyond her years. I think she knows we are growing more and more like Him and is gentle with us all. To count her as a daughter is quite a privilege, but to know her as a sister in Christ, is an honor.

Happy Birthday, Abbey Grace. I love you.

Here we are getting to celebrate another child’s birthday! Nineteen years have gone by quickly in my mind. Your ready smile and willingness to do hard things, has been a constant thread over the years. You are learning more about the One who made you, the God who has all your days planned out. Getting to have a front row seat to watch and talk about possibilities is exciting. You have such a pure heart and unselfish way about you, rare qualities for us humans. I hope you know how proud I am of who you are and count it quite an honor to be your mom.

Happy Birthday Jackson!!

Reading a beautiful passage in scripture recently, I noticed the word “purification”. A wedding was taking place, the wine ran out, but only the servants seem to know about the problem. Jesus has the servants fill these stone purification jars with water. What was empty, used for ritual, became filled with ordinary. When the water was drawn out, it had been turned to the best wine. The master of the feast even asked questions.

Maybe you feel a bit empty and ordinary too. Could it be that we are going through purification? In the process, we reach a point of empty and we bring our need to Jesus. He serves us living water day after day, filling us over time. And then one day, what is in your heart is drawn out and shared. My prayer for us is that the wine is so fine and pure that others begin to ask questions.

My eyes skimmed over scripture about paying taxes. Some people had questioned Jesus about taxes and He requests a coin. He asks whose likeness is on the coin? He then instructs them to give the coin to whom it belongs and to give to God what belongs to Him. I immediately thought of our kids and the picture comes to mind of holding each one as a newborn. I remember studying them and memorizing each precious detail. You want to see if they have your eyes or your husbands smile. As they grow, you see parts of your personality and struggles too, reflecting back to you in each one. Then we remember they belong to God and give them back again. And past my eyes and struggles, I see whose image they bear. What an honor to encourage more and more of His likeness every day.