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The day that changed our lives...

Today (Nov 10) is Justin's birthday. Obviously, the birthday of your child holds a special meaning. Over the course of the last three days, I have been reminded of how exciting a birthday truly is. His excitement reminds me of the excitement we felt in anticipation of his birth, and, I think the excitement that God feels as his children enter into relationship with HIM.

Justin seems to think that we will forget that today is his birthday. I base this on the simple fact that he has reminded us no less than 5 times/day since Sunday. I'm not sure exactly why, he hasn't quite been this excited about his birthday in the past; maybe it has something to do with this being the first birthday in Austria...I'm just not sure. But the joy that he carries (and expects from everyone around him) in anticipation of this day is a bit infectious.

As many of you are aware, Justin was born in the middle of our senior year in high school. We were so emotionally unprepared (being so young) and the memory of that day that he was born definitely carries with it some pretty distinct emotions. Sure, we were frightened. Scratch that, we were scared beyond belief. But the emotion that really comes back to me was the overwhelming excitement that dominated that day. We simply wanted to hold this little boy, this gift from God, in our arms.

I think this excitement is similar to the anticipation in Heaven of people's individual salvation and I think should really drive how we should view Christ's exhortation to make believers of all nations. We should all be excited with the anticipation of sharing the Gospel and allowing God to work through us to bring more people into the shared Grace of Salvation through His death and resurrection...

And with that...HAPPY BIRTHDAY JUSTIN!

Comments

  1. AnonymousNovember 10, 2010 at 5:48 PM

    Happy Birthday Justin! We thought about you this morning in the car on our way to school.
    Hugs and kisses,
    Auntie Amy, Emily and Nathan

    ReplyDelete
  2. The Smalley FamilyNovember 11, 2010 at 2:02 AM

    Happy birthday Justin! We'll have to celebrate somehow when we meet up with you guys between Austria and Spain:) So blessed by your parents, just like you!

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousNovember 11, 2010 at 3:06 AM

    Aww! Justin, you and Brennan share the same birthday! I hope it was a very special one for you today!!

    Love,

    Adrienne (Gillespie)

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousNovember 14, 2010 at 1:30 AM

    Sorry we are late Justin, hope you had an awesome Birthday!! How incredible to be celebrating in Vienna!
    The Slade's

    ReplyDelete

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