Happy Birthday, Blondechick21

Sweetheart,

I thank God for you, for your life, for every year we've had with you.

I thank God for getting your attention, and even more, that you gave it. You listened to His voice, and you responded.

You heard Him tell you to go to the School of Worship, and you went.  What a fabulous place for you to grow in the Lord, in the Scriptures, in your gifts, in godly friendships and in discipleship.

I am so thankful that you listened and obeyed, and that He provided such a place for you, at such a time as this.

I thank God for how I see Him working in your mind. "Do not conform to the pattern of the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind...." (Rom. 12:2) I see your mind daily being renewed by immersion in God's Word and in His truth. I believe He is literally transforming the structure of your brain, day by day, as you choose to believe Him and His truth.

I thank God for how I see Him working in your heart. Even your tears, so confusing, show that God is making good on His promise:  "I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." Flesh hurts, but it is warm, it is alive, and it is a source of life.

I thank God for how He is working in your relationships. You surround yourself with friends who uplift and encourage you in God's ways, and you wisely avoid those who don't. Your own words, your Facebook status on the eve of this birthday, speak to that:

Most people get ready for a certain kind of night on their 21st birthday. If I had turned 21 last year, my birthday would be a very different story. Instead, tonight, I'm staying home and having a beer with my dad, in Chimay glasses, not the bottle. And I mean real beer, not water with beer flavoring, cause my daddy raised me right.

Also, I'm going to bed early because I have worship at 8am tomorrow morning! Just like I do every day. And you know what? I know I'll be able to look back on my 21st birthday and not ONLY remember it, but I'll have it as a reminder that I was saved by the grace of God. I couldn't be more happy to turn 21 in a few hours and be in the place that I am.

Amen, and amen. So proud of you!

Love you so much, honey!