Birthday Blessings

But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord…Joshua 24:15

Last Saturday, my family came together to celebrate my birthday!

The day included spending the morning at the museum, which meant…

There was lots of giggles and laughter…

Riding…

Climbing…

Swinging…

Driving cars…

Pretending to give mom a dental check-up…

Reaching high places…

Riding tractors…

Fellowshipping…

Building…

Painting…

Dressing up…

Making music…

And so much more!

Papa also surprised us that morning!

He was working out of town and drove all night to join us!  He didn’t want to miss this family time together!

My heart was filled with joy as I viewed all of my family together...having fun as each of them participated in all of the museum’s activities!

But the fun didn’t stop there!

We all headed to Uncle Zach and Aunt Rachel’s house for lunch!

And while the final lunch preparations were taking place, Aunt Bekah helped everyone with a craft project that Aunt Rachel had prepared!

Each child (both adult children and grandchildren) created a beautiful thumbprint tree for Gammy!

This piece of artwork is priceless!

Once the project was completed, it was time to enjoy a delicious Mexican lunch!

After a busy morning, we were all hungry and could hardly wait to dive into the meal!

However, I believe the little boys had been eyeing the beautiful birthday cake and were more excited about tasting this delicious treat after their lunch!

As my precious family gathered around to sing Happy Birthday, tears filled my eyes!

It had been a perfect day!

My heart was overflowing with love for each of these family members!

There is no greater gift that they could have given me for my birthday

But as I looked upon their sweet faces….I saw so much more!

I saw the light of Jesus shining through them!

I saw joy on their faces!

I saw individuals who had surrendered their hearts to Jesus at a young age, and now were serving the Lord as young adults!

I saw mama’s and daddy’s who are now raising their children in the ways of the Lord…teaching them about Jesus…taking them to church…praying for and with their children…I saw a family who loves the Lord.

And I was reminded of this verse… But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord…Joshua 24:15.

God’s word tells us that Joshua assembled all the tribes of Israel at Shechem and told the people what they must do:

Give honor to the Lord.

Serve him.

Only do what God says.

Do no worship the false gods that your fathers worshipped.

Joshua told the people that they had a choice to make.  They could serve God…the God that had brought them out of Egypt…that God that had saved them.

They could serve Him or they could serve other gods.

They could serve the gods that their fathers had worshipped in the desert…they could serve the gods of Canaan.

They had a choice.

And leading by example, Joshua shared with them…But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord…Joshua 24:15.

That’s my desire too!  That my family…my children…our household…their households…would serve the Lord.

And just as Joshua told the people that they had a choice, my children also had a choice!

They could serve God, or they too could choose to serve other gods.

Fortunately, my children and their spouses are serving God…choosing this day to follow Him.

And I praise God for their decisions!

So, I will continue to pray daily for my family…my children…my grandchildren…that each of us will serve and follow God all the days of our lives.

And I will pray that none of us allow false Gods into our lives, which would keep us from worshipping our Heavenly Father…keep us from serving our Lord!

And I will pray for other family members…friends…and loved ones…for each of their households to choose to serve the Lord!

Dear Heavenly Father…I pray that my family will choose to follow you all the days of our lives!  I pray for other families and their households will also choose to follow you!  I pray that we can come humbly before you saying….But as for me and my household…we will serve the Lord.