Twenty-two

Twenty-two years ago tonight, I hadn’t yet made my entrance into this world. I’m sure it found Mama anxious and uncomfortable and Daddy nervously waiting, but oh how quickly the last 22 years have passed! Tonight, as I look at my parents, I see the two people who blessed me with life and have taught me what it means to truly live.

On the eve of my 22nd birthday, I am feeling many things. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for their example and teaching. Their consistency in living out what they’ve taught in words is amazing. They have taken their responsibility as parents so very seriously, and I will be forever grateful for that.

 I am grateful that they have diligently prayed for me. Over the years the direction of their prayers has changed, but their praying has never ceased. First, it was for my safe delivery. Then from that Sunday morning in October 1987 until that Sunday night in April 1997 it was for my salvation. And from then on, their prayer has been that I would love God and live for Him, that I would make the right choices, that I would choose the right way. I am a product of a praying Daddy and Mama that lived their prayers in a daily and apparent way.

I am grateful tonight that they loved me enough to say no even when I didn’t like that answer. Looking back at my years in public school, I know they were so much of the reason why I wasn’t influenced severely by my surroundings. The world held little pull or sway on me because I had parents who were living their love for their Lord in a way that made me desire to do the same though it was often the least popular thing to do.

I am grateful that they have taught me to make wise choices and to always look at life in light of Scripture. For our family, our Christian living did not begin when we put on our Sunday best or end with the final hymn of morning worship service. I am grateful that they were examples of real faith seven days a week, 365 days a year. They taught me to be truthful. They taught me to love the unlovable. They taught me to always give to God  first and to always give my best. They taught me so much and continue to teach today with their wonderful testimonies that are much more than words! I am thankful to be called their daughter.

Not only am I thankful for my parents, but I am so very blessed with so many other people in my life that love God and live for Him.

I am granddaughter and great-granddaughter to 4 of the most godly people I’ve ever met. They love me, counsel me, spoil me, and allow me to glean from their wisdom and love for Him for hours each week. Also a part of my 22 years are 2 godly preacher’s that I called Papal and PopPop. Though they have since gone 0nto their Eternal reward, their influence and impact upon my life is still evident.

I am Sissy to a sweet and spunky 19 year old who has the biggest heart of anyone I know. She’s hardworking, outspoken, strong, and incredibly adorable. I am a bit more fond of her today then I was the day she was born as I hid underneath a chair in the hospital waiting room! I’m glad I decided to come out and accept the fact that I wasn’t an only child anymore! 🙂 She’s the complete opposite of me, but loves her Lord and desires to live for Him. While working a secular job, she is a consistent and faithful witness and testimony for this I am thankful.

I am niece, cousin, friend. Coming from a LARGE family, it would be easy to lose touch with my many family members, but they are such a huge part of my life. Not only does physical blood connect us, I am blessed to share a spiritual bond with many of them! And for those who have yet to see Jesus for who He really is, I long for and pray for the day when they do.

Every day I am blessed with the opportunity to instruct 8 of the best students I’ve had in my nearly 6 years of teaching. As I watch them succeed though they face each task with learning differences, I know that I am where I am suppossed to be. I am thankful that I am called teacher.

And most recently, my loving Lord has given me the precious privilege of knowing someone that shares my desire of loving Him and living for Him. As He closed many of the doors over the last 4 years, I didn’t know He was preparing me for the opening of this one. I am thankful that He has blessed me in this way as I approach my 22nd birthday. I am looking forward to the great things He has in store. It is a safe thing to trust Him with the desires He creates! His timing is perfect, this is living proof of that!

And for all of this I am filled with praise and adoration for my sweet Jesus, the Giver of all good things. I deserve nothing and yet He has given everything. I deserve death yet He has given life. I deserve Hell yet Heaven is waiting. I realize tonight that it is nought of good that I have done, but because of  the Blood shed for my sinful soul on Calvary some 2,000 years before I would enter this world.

Twenty-two years ago, He knit me together in the womb.

Twelve years ago, He replaced my stony heart with a heart of flesh, removing the sin and washing me clean.

Four years ago, He called me from my plans that I might truly know Him and to show me how wonderful His way would be!

One year ago, as I turned 21, I had no way of knowing that the year ahead would hold all that it has. I am thankful it has held every heartache for in them I found the Comfort of Christ. I am thankful that it has held every blessing for in them I have come to know more about my Savior and how very good He is!

Tonight, I am unsure of what the year ahead will hold, but I am assured that my Jesus will be there each step of the way giving me joy for this journey called life. 🙂

I have MUCH to be praising Him for as I turn twenty-two tomorrow!

 “For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.” Psalms 92:4 

  “And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant…my God shall be my strength.”

Isaiah 49:5