From sea to shining sea, we as a nation celebrated the "birth" of our glorious and majestic country on July 4th. For our family, we celebrated something even greater than the Fourth of July. Many believe that the most important days in your children's lives are their wedding day and the day that babies are born. For our family, there will never be anything greater than the day our children were reborn and seeing them welcome the Holy Spirit into their body. If you happen to be so blessed, you will have an opportunity to cradle your child in your arms and feel them receive the Holy Spirit.
July 4, 2021 at 7:19pm in the Ararat River, our oldest daughter, Revonda Gail gave her life to Jesus and was baptized by her dad. Much like the way she entered the world almost thirteen years ago, she came into this new one with even more energy and excitement. It has taken a village to get this beautiful child of God back to Him. While she had all the tools, she needed to make the most important decision on her own. She had to let go of her self and realize that nothing was more important than having a relationship with Jesus. It's so easy to get caught up in the preparation...where are we going to do it, who is going to do it, who do we invite, what time are we going to do it and so so...the emotion can become overwhelming giving Satan an opportunity to step in with his band of demons (yes, that is a Charlie Daniels reference...trust me when I say I could hear the evil coming from those fiddles in the background.) to prevent that beautiful soul from making the most important decision of her life.
When our children were born, I never looked at them as angels. I looked at them as a gift from God. He blessed us with four of His children not ours, but His for us as parent to teach, guide and direct them back to Him. He wanted us to equip them with all the tools they needed to make that decision to bring them back to Him. One of the most important things for us to understand and look for was that age of accountability....that moment when they not only had all the tools but were fully aware of what they were and how to use them...then it was simple "you need some Jesus!"...if I had a dollar for every time I have told Revonda Gail this or any of them...my goodness, Imelda Marcos better watch out!
Yesterday, our family witnessed the greatest day of Revonda Gail's life...not her birthday, nor her graduation day from my alma mater (still hopeful), not even her wedding day....but the day her life started over with Jesus. While I am beyond blessed to have brought her into this world on November 21, 2008...her dad brought her into her new life on July 4 2021.
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