Malakai's Birthday Blessing

A birthday blessing for you, my baby boy. The one we named with God's purpose and plan in mind. (Malakai means "messenger of God.")

Malakai, I pray that you will know and do all that the LORD requires of you.

And what does the LORD requires of you?

To act justly

and to love mercy

and to walk humbly with your God. 

~ Micah 6:8 (NIV)

* I have decided to find a verse of blessing to pray over each of my children this year. On their birthdays (or - ahem - this Christmas), I will give each child his/her verse in a frame to hang above his/her bed. Have you ever done something like this for your kids?

Megan's Birthday Blessing

Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings. (It's a Wonderful Life)

While that is a lovely sentiment, I can't say that there's any truth to it. What I do know for sure, though, is that there is a Heavenly celebration every time someone comes to the Kingdom. (see Luke 15:10) Each time a person prays for salvation, God and His angels have a big ol' party. And I believe that when those people take the next step in their walk of faith - baptism - the party just continues.

There was a rockin' out party in Heaven yesterday for my girl Megan! And my mother heart nearly burst with joy. Because in spite of our struggles as a family, and in spite of the fact that I often feel I'm not doing enough to teach them the ways of the Lord, God has been revealing a beautiful treasure. He's given us the treasure of a Godly heritage.

This is the verse of blessing I shared with Megan, not only for her baptism but also for her upcoming birthday...

Megan, may you grow in the grace and knowledge of your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

May your life, Megan, give Him glory both now and forever.

Amen.

~ 2 Peter 3:18 (NIV)

Shea's Birthday Blessing

A birthday blessing for you, my baby girl. You sure aren't a baby anymore!

Shea is the light of the world —
like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.
No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.
In the same way, Shea, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.~ Matthew 5:14-16 (NLT)

Braeden's Birthday Blessing

A birthday blessing for you, my eldest son, my teenager.

Braeden, I pray that out of God's glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your heart through faith.

And I pray that you, Braeden, will be rooted and established in love, that you may have power, together with all the believers, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ is for you. And to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all you ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in your life, Braeden, and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

~ Ephesians 3:14-20



Abbey's Birthday Blessing

A birthday blessing for you, my beautiful first born daughter...

Blessed is Abbey,
for she does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
but she delights in the law of the LORD
and meditates on His law day and night.
Abbey is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither -
whatever she does prospers.

~ Psalm 1:1-3 (TNIV)

P.S. I'm so excited that your front teeth have finally begun to come in! (A full year and a half after you lost them.)

* I have decided to find a verse of blessing to pray over each of my children this year. On their birthdays, I will give each child his/her verse in a frame to hang above his/her bed. Have you ever done something like this for your kids?