Livin' The Sweet Life





But from everlasting to everlasting
the Lord’s love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children’s children —Psalm 103:17

Glammed out in her Hello Kitty glitter shoes, matching lip gloss ring, and purple headband, Little Miss celebrates her fourth birthday lickin' lolly pops with Baby Brother and livin' the sweet life! And all this partying? It happens before 10 am! Oh, yes it does and I enjoy every minute cuz I'm Grams.

This was just a private little party, a prelude to her bigger weekend party when extended family and friends join in the fun. It's where she gets my undivided attention and I get to whisper, "I love you" in her ear. It's her real birthday. The one day that's all her own.

But, with God? It's a never-ending, private birthday party! He celebrates our birth 24:7:365. Oh yes, he does. He whispers "I love yous" in our ears, dances and sings and leaps with joy over the very thought of us, even when we're not paying attention. He sees His reflection in our faces, recognizes our great potential - the same way we do with our own children and grandchildren - and rejoices because he knows all things are possible.

If we believed this reality - that we are full of potential and with God, all things are possible - nothing could stop us from living to our fullest potential. If we grasped that each new day God greets us with our own private birthday party, would we not leap out of bed celebrating - ready to unwrap His gifts?

What stops us? We all have our own answers, our own stories of brokenness, loss, and lies authored by our Enemy, the devil.

"Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith." 1Peter 5:8b-9a

But Jesus came to redeem - to set all things right - and restore all creation (including us) back to its original potential.

"For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." Colossians 1:13-14

I want to freeze this moment in time - where innocence and great potential linger. So, Little Miss and Baby Brother pose, indulge me just this once as I capture them livin' their sticky-faced, lollypop-lickin', sweet life. {Click}

Dear Lord,
Help us live this sweet life - where we reflect your image - realize our great potential and believe that in you, all things are possible. Amen.