How was your weekend?
Oh, it’s already Thursday and you probably forgot about last weekend already and are looking forward to the one ahead.
I don’t know if I have fully grasped all the significance packed into one weekend for our family. Without giving all the details, our oldest graduated from high school and we celebrated that with an open house on Sunday afternoon. Our youngest finished middle school and gave profession of her faith at confirmation on Sunday. We celebrated that event with another three adults who were confirmed and one was also baptized. My parents and two of my sisters and their families joined in the events as well creating time for family and connection there. Members and friends came to help celebrate these faith and life events as well as sent cards to our girls to wish them well and remind them they are loved by God and other people.
As I was at our chiropractor last week, he asked about the upcoming weekend and as I shared all of the faith and life events we were observing, he said, “Just take a few moments to step back and observe what was happening.” At the graduation ceremony, the principal of the high school encouraged the class to live with gratitude.
So through the lens of gratitude I have much for which to be thankful. God is truly faithful to his promise, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33). While not perfectly, God is at the center of our family – immediate and extended. To see that lived in your daughters, and professed publically at confirmation is a moment I will never forget, and I pray continues to grow deeper and more convicted in the future. As I contemplate the life change coming this summer, it comes with the consistency of a God who loves us and walks with us through life. As you see lives impacted by the Gospel in your own family and others, you realize most of life doesn’t matter, only your faith in the Lord Jesus. When that is secure, the rest will take care of itself.
A lot is happening in the world right now. People being murdered. Baby formula gone scarce. Europe at the brink of war with Russia. Economy making our money worth less. Gender identity confusion. Unborn lives struggling for protection. A country searching for answers to life issues and a country relying on the government to fix things. Our culture and country give us many reasons to be concerned about the future. I would be dishonest to say I don’t worry about these as well and wonder what the world my daughters will be part of and perhaps one day their families.
Which is why I love my daughters’ confirmation verses. They are great passages to begin every day with and carry throughout life:
The older from Joshua 1:9
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
The younger from Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
The world and our lives have a lot going on…keep the Lord at the center of your heart and life!
Apply: What changes when you live by these promises each day? Try it!
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the power of your Spirit to work in our lives and those we love. Keep us all close to you each day of our lives as we journey through life to an eternity with you. Amen!