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Dear Elliot,
Happy birthday to you (last week)! Here we are marking another milestone of grace in your life. As a friend told us on a birthday call, you are now the perfect age! :)
Consider what is happening in your life now:
- You are nearing the end of 1st grade. This year has been great for extending your math skills, getting started with formal spelling, and an impressive advance in geography and map knowledge.
- You continue to show a great aptitude for Lego construction and engineering. Many an afternoon you have spent making amazing flying machines and other vehicles... You have also enjoyed a frequent coloring sheet or making your own unique monster drawing.
- I appreciate how often you are a flexible and gracious playmate with your siblings. When Victor and Josiah were away on a retreat with Dad, you did amazing with Calvin and Jemima, being the big man around home. You are an ever-attentive companion for Jemima and show the greatest patience, tenderness, and enjoyment toward your little sister.
- Our big family challenge this year has been working on memorizing the book of Ephesians. Even though there are a lot of complex words and ideas, it continually thrills my heart to see you (and your brothers) rehearsing big chunks of God's word. How I pray that these true and powerful verses will linger in your heart and flavor your daily walk with God. This week we have been finishing up Ephesians 5, and you just about have it!
- In the mornings, you will often get up a little early to come out to the living room and read a Bible story next to Dad, while he has his quiet time. Sometimes you even enjoy sipping a glass of tea. :) I can think of no better way to start the day than having your mind renewed with reminders of who Jesus is and what He has done for us. May it be a lifelong pattern for you!
- This year we have focused on exercising self-control in many different contexts and submitting our hearts to Christ, even when it is challenging. It is a real picture of God's grace when I hear you patiently responding to your little brother's concerns or showing preference for another instead of demanding your own way in a game. May the Lord continue to shape your heart to be like Jesus.
- When we get to church for supper before Wednesday Connection, you love to head down the hall on your own to meet Dad at his office and help him print his papers and join us all back down at the gym. He was telling me just last night how he loves when you come to see him!
This season of moving and finishing up the school year has been full. Most days lately I have felt like my boat is in danger of being swamped. But recently I read a quote that feels apropos to the times:
"Prayer mirrors the gospel. In the gospel, the Father takes us as we are because of Jesus and gives us his gift of salvation. In prayer, the Father receives us as we are because of Jesus and gives us his gift of help" (A Praying Life, p. 55).
The times when we feel weak or overwhelmed, we are in just the right position to turn our eyes to the throne of grace. Hebrews 4:16 is just such a promise: "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
It's a time of need! Every day is a time of need! And because of Jesus, because He lived perfectly, died as a payment for our sin, and rose again victoriously, now we have free and full access to the resources of mercy, strength, provision, and hope that are essential to press on faithfully through the challenges of this life.
I pray that you will be encouraged to see obstacles and trials in your life not as a sign that God is against you but rather that God is inviting you to bring all your burdens and cares to Him, because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).
I love you so much!
Momma
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