23

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”- Philippians 3:12-14 NIV

Though it is hard for me to believe, today is my daughter Ellie’s 23rd Birthday.

She is strong-willed and driven. She is smart and friendly. She is athletic and strong. She is beautiful inside and out. But even more than that, she loves the Lord with all her heart, soul, mind and strength.

No, she’s not perfect. None of us are.

Yet at 23, she’s striving to be all that God has made her to be.

At 23, she’s trying to figure out His calling and direction.

At 23, she’s trying to shine for Him through the way she lives, cares and loves.

At 23, she’s striving to glorify God by how hard she works, how well she does, and how much fun she has doing.

At 23, she seems to have a discerning spirit, seems to be able to see the good in most everyone, seems to hunger for the things of God.

At 23, she has Big Dreams and thus far, is not only daring to dream them, but daring to try to reach them.

At 23, she longs for balance in her life. Not wanting to be known as merely a wife, an ER nurse or a former athlete (basketball, track, cross country), but as a friend, a confidant, an artist, a musician, a missionary and most of all, a Believer and Follower of Jesus Christ.

At 23, she seems to get it.

At 23, she reminds me of the faith that I should have. Reminds me, all too often, of the Follower of Jesus that I should be... and be becoming.

Yes, we have our moments where we bang our heads as she develops her worldview and mindset. Yet, we also have our moments of deeper discussions, tears in the sharing and praying.

On this, her 23rd Birthday, some 4 months after marrying her best friend, I pray a special prayer of Thanksgiving for the Lord blessing Amy and me with Sweet Ellie, a young woman after God’s own heart. I thank Him for her heart and her passions, for her silliness and her sense of humor, for her talents and convictions, and I thank Him even for her shortcomings and weaknesses, as she strives to grow and to become the woman of God that He has made her to be.

Thank you, Lord, for you are good and your love endures forever.

Thank you, Lord, for Ellie.

Keep the Faith... Carpe Diem