HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CLAYTON!

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. From the looks of things from the front porch this morning, this day could easily turn out to be a “dreary” one, but there won’t be anything dreary about the day itself for me. I spent my time with the Living God giving Thanks more than anything else, and my Heart is bright enough to light up this entire old farm if that was possible. The Blessings overwhelm me. Answers to my prayers Humble me. His Perfect Plans for my Life inspire every minute of my Time. He’s a Mighty God so worthy to be Praised. This morning I’m especially thankful that He chose me to be His Child and because of that, there is an entire generation following in His Footsteps too. The Seed of Faith He planted within me so long ago will last for generations and generations to come. Hallelujah! Isn’t that the way you see your Journey of Faith too?

Thirty-seven years ago today my oldest son was born. It wasn’t an easy season, and I wasn’t overjoyed to be expecting my third child. I didn’t know how I’d handle another baby with two already at home and a busy job working to feed them all. I was worn out, unhappy, and self-centered. While I was preparing to be discharged from the hospital after his birth, I was told there were serious complications and my baby boy was immediately placed in the NICU. I began to pray like never before, beginning by confessing my selfish Heart and how I could worry more about myself and how “I” was going to handle my burdens than I was about the Blessing of this child…and I cried out to God for mercy. After a long week of praying and waiting for news from the barrage of testing they did on my sweet baby boy, his symptoms abruptly lifted and he left the doctors perplexed. “We can’t explain it”, they said…but I sure could! We were discharged from the hospital on my 30th birthday…the very best birthday present I could ever dream of! There were miracles wrapped all around the birth of my son, but the Miracle of healing was brought on by the Power of a praying mother and a very Merciful God. He heard my prayers then and He’s heard every single prayer I’ve ever prayed for this precious son of mine over the years. There are no words to express my love for my son. What a wonderful man He’s become…one that would make any mother proud. He’s healthy and strong, loving, kind, and compassionate. He loves me, he loves his siblings, and he loves the Lord and ALL the credit belongs to my Kind, Compassionate Merciful God.

Look out when a godly mother sets out to pray! She knows how to do Battle in the heavens on behalf of her family and she knows Who to Trust with the Results. I’ve spent entire nights pacing the floors of this old farmhouse while I battled through challenges at home and God was Faithful and Merciful every single time. I didn’t spend my time begging – I didn’t spend my time doubting – I spent my time standing on the Promises of my Mighty and loving God. I prayed for Mercy and Wisdom and I TRUSTED Him with my family. I claimed Victory over it all! I poured Living Water into my children every single day of their lives and I did my best to be a Reflection of Jesus Christ through it all. They saw Him in me. Prayers over my children were for things much bigger than good grades or sports, I prayed for the Eternal things instead. I prayed for their souls – the ONLY thing that really matters in the end. I prayed for future mates. I prayed for a godly generation. I prayed for my grandchildren before they were ever even imagined. One by one each one of my children accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and today their lives Reflect His Heart by the way they love. This is the Key to “train up a child in the way he should go.”

Today I’m celebrating the birth of my gentle giant 37 years ago and I’m STILL giving thanks to God for hand-picking me to be his Mom. Seeing answers to prayers come to life years after I prayed them makes me even MORE thankful to my Mighty and Merciful God. I’ll never stop praying for my family…for the big things and some little things too. God’s Word “does NOT return void” and I speak it over their lives daily. I’ve got countless generations already covered as I pray for my children’s children and beyond. I know God hears the prayers of this praying mother and I know that my prayers will NEVER “expire” over time.

Happy birthday, Clayton. I love you more than life itself.