[Tweet “Be #intentional! #Celebrate every #good #gift! #thankfulness”]

15 Candles – Shining Bright

Bethany’s birthday is a mysterious conundrum. July 23rd is forever intertwined in my head and heart with Bethany’s sister, our 2nd daughter, Kristin Faith.

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Kristin and Bethany share birthdays- July 23rd- separated by 17 years. Though they share birthdays, they’ll never blow out candles together, because Kristin went to be with the Lord when she was 2.

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But every year, my mother’s heart wonders what it would be like to have 2 cakes, 2 parties, 2 daughters celebrating life!

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Therefore, I do a some necessary mental juggling, push certain thoughts and emotions to the background and very intentionally concentrate on celebrating the here and the now-

which at this point in time is Bethany turning 15.

Now we’re not celebrating the usual typical, 15 year old “milestones”.

[Tweet “Milestones are meaningless unless rooted in the eternal. #milestones #success”]

Bethany isn’t getting her driver’s permit or thinking about dating.  She’s not socially aware of  most “teenagerisms”- yet.  🙂  Physically, the Dr. told us she’s probably reached her full measure of height- 4’10”.  Intellectually, she’s no where near her peers in educational learning: not able to understand Algebra, Science, or higher level reading (but she does read and understand her Bible which is the most important book ever 😉 )

But I’m not sad because Jesus has promised us–

Bethany is going to continue upward and onward in the plans and purposes God has yet to unfold for her. And there’s a prize at the end of our journey!  Don’t you just love prizes? 🙂

[Tweet “Press on toward the goal for the #prize of the upward call of #God in Christ Jesus.”]

Philipians 4:24

Her maturity and intellect may be slow but it is not stagnant. Nope.  Our girl is moving onward and upward.   Some versions say “press on to the  “high call” but a better translation is upward.

We’re not to look backward and not just to plod ahead-

We’re to follow our destiny in God by traveling UPward!-

UP- toward all that God has for us in Christ Jesus!

[Tweet “Follow God #UPward and discover all God has planned. #success”]

I decided I’d interview Bethany about her “call” in Christ.  🙂   So, heeeeeeere’s Bethany: 15 Candles and each day growing ever brighter.

What do you want to do with your life, Bethany?

I want to be kind, love everybody, love God.

What’s your favorite thing about God?

I really love God but I want to be wonderful.

What’s your favorite Christian song right now

Like a Bride waiting for her groom- I’ll be a church waiting for You. 

(She means Chris Thomlin’s new song-

What’s your favorite Bible verse?

The Lord is my Shepherd. God is my help. God not given me spirit of fear, but power, love, and sound mind.

(ummm- I think she mixed 3 together, but hey- that’s ok 😉 )

How do you want to serve God with your life?

Get married and have babies, help kids love God, be peaceful, buy homes for homeless people, give money to people who are hungry, help sad people.

What do you want people to know about God?

Read your Bible and know God helps us all time.

And there you have a tiny glimpse of Bethany’s UPward journey. I’d love to hear you share insights about your upward call in Christ. 🙂  Hugs and blessings and remember- keep moving Upward!

Surprising Treasures: II Cor. 4:7 NLT

We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.