A Lesson of Grace

On a hot summer night twenty-one years ago, 

God gave me a baby girl 

who was much prayed over. 

She was the third blessing added to our family

 and I was beginning to learn about a very real, very personal God who cares about the 

tiniest details of my life.

He taught me that He can be trusted 

to plan my family size. 

He taught me that obedience does not require "feeling obedient". 

He taught me to trust Him through a time 

when we did not know if

 I had miscarried or not. 

He taught me that it was okay to ask the

 "why" questions 

since I was being obedient to Him. 

He taught me to be bold enough

 to let Him plan her entrance into the world 

and gave me the thrill of

 a "no-intervention" birth 

with a run to the hospital 

and a quick labor and delivery 

that I had not experienced before

 or since.

He gave me a word. 

John 15:16 "...you did not choose Me, I chose you to bear much fruit...fruit that would last.." 

He let me know this child was a girl....

without ultrasound. 

Elizabeth 

(promise of God) 

Grace 

(well, it's all grace isn't it?)

She was, and is, a delight. 

Stray animals and people will be found by her. 

I learned not to be surprised to see a new face sitting with my family for the church service. When she was little, 

the definition of "stranger" had to be clearly explained because she would just ask the person's name and then declare them 

not to be strangers any longer.

The tomboy in the princess dress....

that is our Ellie....

very good at being both at the same time. 

All mercy...

all for Jesus...

When she ran in from riding her bike to tell us she wanted to ask Jesus into her heart, 

we made sure that we did our parental duty and asked her dozens of questions.

 Finally, she looked at us and said, 

"Are you going to let me be a Christian?"

 Guess we overdid it.

Being a second daughter, 

she relied on big sister's opinions of things. 

But once she was on her own, 

she discovered what we knew all along...

 that she had a good head on her shoulders 

and a faith in the

 Lord that would lead her.

Now she is all grown-up and married. 

We are so happy to see 

what God is doing in her life.

Happy Birthday, Ellie!

Happy Birthday, Nic!