Little steps, Long distance, Good God

Today is K's Bday.  Its a big one.  A special one.  We have been celebrating for a week.  A party for friends, a party at homegroup.  Today will be rather busy with other stuff - she has two camps she's helping out with.  In between time she and her dad will do something special.  He is always great at planning birthday Ta-Da for us.  Her birthday dinner will be late, but what she likes - Turkey Spaghetti with mushrooms and truffle brownies, she's had her favorite, yellow cake with chocolate frosting, twice already- .



We always reminense on birthdays about what was happening on the day she was born and I remember looking at her, she was tiny, and at 5 weeks early hadn't had the chance to put on a little fat.  We had walked a long hard road to hold her and once we did, the thought pervaded every bit on me, that I was completely and utterly unable to properly give this child all that I wished for her. Now, looking back I am reminded of God's comfort to Paul in regarding his weakness. "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."  Sitting in that room with that tiny little girl, I was terrified.  How full joy and terror can fill the same room I am not quite sure.



A little later I looked on as her dad stuck his tongue out playfully at her and she returned the gesture.  Her warm and trusting relationship with her dad has pointed her to Christ is so many ways.  I am inexpressibly thankful for that.  In that way I guess my theology caught up with our theopraxy.  I had felt the weight of raising Kelsey when truly in was E. responsibility to look after all of us as he looked to God.



E. and K. have extemperous converstions about this as she talks through life with him.  She already gets this truth.  She has taken so many little steps to get to this place.  Every chance I get, I tell young moms, it goes so quickly, savor every moment, every laugh, every discipline, everytime God points you to repentence when you see your need in the face of their actions.



Happy, Happy, Day K.  I love you - Just in Case You Ever Wonder.



I still have moments of fleeting terror- then I remember, it is not ultimately my hands that hold you or even your dad's, but your Father's - His loving hands never fail Darlin Girl. (I know you hate me calling you Darlin' but there are only so many words that carry the idea of infinitely precious)



For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your heart K. through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you K. may be filled with all the fullness of God.





Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.