A Week of Celebrations


In the past week, we have celebrated much! Titus turned 15, my dad turned 65, Caleb turned 14 and Micah and Grace graduated from high school. Just typing it all out fills my heart with thanksgiving as I think about God's gift of life and the graces that He gives along the way. 


When I think of birthdays, I think of beginnings. We are celebrating the day that a life began. We are celebrating the beginning that has led to many years of living. Yet my greatest prayer in all of these birthday celebrations is that they would point us to the One, the only One, who has no beginning. Still, Jesus did indeed take on flesh and was born into this world to walk among us...to live the perfect life we couldn't and die the death we deserved so that we could have our sins forgiven and be reconciled to God. This should cause our hearts to celebrate EVERY day of the year...in worship and adoration of the One who gives meaning to life and hope to each step. And that is not just my prayer for my family when I consider birthdays...but it is also my prayer as we rejoiced in Micah and Grace's graduation.
Life is all about steps...one step after another that takes us towards something and away from something else, all at the same time. It's so important to contemplate both what we should walk away from as well as where we should be going. Our prayer, not only for their birthdays but also graduation (and every other day!), is that our kids would have the compass of their souls fixed on Christ. That each step would lead them farther away from their own sin and selfish desires and closer to the refuge found in the arms of their Savior.

It may seems like an odd graduation gift, but we gave Micah and Grace Olukai Sandals (if you don't own a pair, remedy that...they are amazing! ). And we gave them this note to go with it: 

"It’s hard to believe you are reading this in your GRADUATION card! We knew that, one day, this day would come…but, in many ways, it seemed so far off. From your very first steps that you took at a year old…you began walking in a direction that would eventually take you away from us, away from home. True, you may not be there yet (and we are certainly thankful for that ;) )…but it’s the direction you are headed, the reality of growing up, the reality of the journey of life. 

And though these steps may lead you to new adventures, new people, and new situations…our prayer is that ALL your steps, all your walking, and all your journeys keep you pressing into Christ and walking hand in hand with your Savior. He is the constant. He is the faithful One. He is your hope. He is your peace. He is your refuge. His Word truly is a lamp to your feet and a light to your path. Trust Him with all your heart, know Him through His Word and confidently take each new step knowing He is and will continue to direct your path! You may not know what the coming years hold…but you know the One who holds it…and that is enough because He is enough.


We love you so very much, and it is our JOY to celebrate you today and rejoice in what God has done and will continue to do. We are so proud of you and we take great delight in the gift of being your parents and calling you ours…not just on the day you were born…but always! 


PS…thought it might be fun to give you something comfortable to wear as you take each one of those steps :)"

Maybe this week holds many celebration steps for you and there is a spring to your walk. Maybe your steps feel mundane and the "ordinary" has brought a drag to your cadence. Or  maybe the path you are walking has led into a dark valley, and the weight of pain has made you wonder if you can even take the next step. Whatever this week's journey looks like...would you join me in looking up? May we fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith. He will accomplish His purposes for us, carry us on eagle's wings and bring us home in His perfect time. This is the hope that anchors our souls and keeps us stepping Heavenward! This is what brings a true celebratory heart to every birthday and every milestone! 

"Now to Him who is able to protect you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of His glory, without blemish and with great joy, to the only God our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority before all time, now and forever. Amen." Jude 24-25


Happy Birthday Dad, Titus and Caleb...and Happy Graduation, Micah and Grace! All glory be to Christ!




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