Birthday Biscuits for the Birthday Boy

Birthday biscuits are a tradition in our house.  Anson is 11 today.  Our first birthday to celebrate in Haiti.
 

From Daddy...

10 years ago we had our first big birthday party for you.

It was a huge ordeal that, of course, you don't remember...

tons of presents...

tons of decorations...

tons of people.

Now 10 years later, this birthday will look much different.

This time we celebrate your birthday in Haiti ...

with very few presents...

no decorations ...

and totally different people.

But today is still just as special.

11 years ago we started out our life as parents.

Your mom and I will both admit that we had no idea how to be parents when you were born.

We made lots of mistakes along the way.

And yet, by the grace of God, you have become an amazing young man.

Your gentle spirit and your love for the Lord are a blessing to us and those around you.

It's an honor to be able to watch you grow and to help shape your life for the Lord.

We love you more than this blog can explain.

Happy Birthday Anson

From Mom...

Don't ever let us try to take credit for the person you have become.  You live with us. You know.  We fail.  Apart from Christ in our lives as your parents, we know that even our best attempts to parent you well are like filthy rags before God. Anything good or right that comes from your life belongs to God and only God.

It is by God's grace and goodness alone, Anson that you belong to God and are becoming the person you are becoming .  God's grace is the sweetest gift of all sweet boy.  My heart rejoices as your mother to see you treasure God and lean on His grace more today than you did on your last birthday.

I know you hate it, but it's true.  You're going to mess up this year.  You are a first born through and through.  Failure irks you.  Thankfully our performance has nothing to do with who we are in Christ.  God knew you would fail.  He knew you would fail a lot.  And yet because He's good, not because you are, God saved you and declared you righteous through Jesus' death on the cross.  It's finished Anson.  Your sin is paid for.  Every single one of them.  God will continue to grow you and sanctify you this year, but when you fail, I pray you will be honest about it and remember to praise God for rescuing people who don't deserve to be so richly loved. When you get it all wrong, I pray you'll fix your eyes on Jesus and thank Him for grace...grace that never ends and never runs out.  Grace that never quits growing, rescuing, and teaching you.   

It brings me great joy to watch the story of your life unfold. What a lovely story God is writing through you.  What big plans He has for your life.

I pray this year is full of new experiences, new struggles, new trials, new joys, new ways to know Jesus and His nature better.  New reasons to have to trust God, to come face to face with His faithfulness.  I pray it's a year of growth as you learn who you are in Christ and what His grace has made possible for you.

And because I'm your mother, it must be said...I don't know how it's possible, but you manage to get more and more handsome and clever every single year.  I wonder if your next birthday will find you taller than your mom.