A Birthday Blessing for The Big 19

Our oldest son turned 19! We spent the weekend in Bandera to celebrate. He had friends along and so did we. It was a wonderful time to just enjoy each other and the beauty of God's creation. 

You all know that I am trying to learn how to bless others. For part of his present, we gave him a parental blessing.

Caleb-

On this day that we celebrate your 19th birthday, we give the Father thanks for you. The Lord has chosen you and blessed you in so many ways. We believe that He who has begun a good work in you will see it through to completion. May He continue to enlarge your vision for what He desires to accomplish through you. May he bless you as you seek to grow in wisdom and discernment. May He cause you to hunger and thirst more for Him each day as everything that is not of Him burns away.  May He be more and more clearly reflected by you to a world in darkness. May He bless the work of your hands and the words of your mouth. May He enlarge your territory as you go forth in his Mighty Name. But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. May He give you strength to do whatever He asks of you. And when you grow weary, may you learn to depend not on your own strength, but to allow Him to fill and sustain you. May the Truth of His Spirit shine into the smallest corners of your spirit. May you allow Him to direct your every step. May you be able to discern the traps and lies of the evil one. We praise Him for blessing us with you. We have such great joy knowing that you are walking in the Truth. 

Happy Birthday!           

We love you!!           

         

The Lord has shown Himself so incredibly Faithful to us as parents. He knows us. He knows there is no way that we can raise children for His Glory. We have made mistakes since Day 1 and I am sure we will still be making mistakes as we are ushered into His Presence. 

But I can testify to this fact: HE IS FAITHFUL TO REDEEM OUR FEEBLEST EFFORTS TO HONOR HIM THROUGH PARENTING THESE PRECIOUS CHILDREN! 

When I look at what He has accomplished in our children I can honestly say that it is ALL His doing. The fruit we see in them is His alone. 

So wherever you are in the journey of parenthood, trust Him. 

Pray constantly. 

There is NOTHING more important in our lives everyday as parents than to pray for our children. Even if things haven't gone well up to now, believe. Even if our children are not walking in the Truth today, keep praying. He is Able to redeem the "years the locusts have eaten." He is able to bring forth fruit in their lives that will give Him glory. He is able to direct their hearts. He is able to give new hearts, if needed. He is so Faithful.