Time to talk story.

When I was a child I loved my Barbie Camper. It wasn’t the flaming hot pink you see these days. It was dull yellow with chunky parts that lacked a hot tub in the back. We went for many rides around a sun-burnt yard every summer of my youth until one day the camper made a stop.

McDonald’s was on the route that led to the driveway. They served plastic Big Macs, empty cartons of fries, and a totally real looking milkshake. There was even a table that the non-bendy knee Barbies awkwardly sat at as they sipped their non-shakes with plastic burgers in hand. It was a dream more than any two-story plastic house could dream. Barbie was totally cool in her mobile home.

My youngest daughter is about to celebrate a birthday. Years past she asked for dream houses and shiny pink convertibles for the new, cooler Barbie dolls of the day. She imagined days driving about with her hair blowing in the wind with Skipper as they headed to meet Raquelle at the vacation home down by the beach. Oh the life.

Today she doesn’t ask for many toys.

She gave up her hopes of getting a Pug puppy or a laptop. She wrote some realistic gifts such as books and new boots. Horse back riding lessons are totally at the top of her list and are also totally not affordable at the moment.  A girl can dream.

But with the lack of much of a list, she did write down three amazing things that she wants to celebrate her birthday. My dear one wants to spend time with her family having fun, eat lemon cupcakes, and to be baptized. Baptized…. on her birthday. And guess what!!!!  It’s going to happen!

I have been praying for my loved ones in my home for years. Three daughters, a son, and my husband. Three of us took the plunge several years ago even though we have been lifelong believers. Two are going all in next. My dream, my prayers, and all of  my hopes are being met by our loving Father God by the ultimate declaration of faith. Full submersion.

I could sing many songs about this, quote promises in Scripture, tell the whole world, or sit in the quiet with the Lord. No matter because it all belongs to Him. Our celebration moves forward. The best part is that every single one of us has been baptized at the same beach in Hawaii. God is good.

Psalm 100:1-5 ESV 

A Psalm for giving thanks. Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.

As we move forward from the water’s edge, we need to keep our hearts fixed on the declaration we made out loud. We have accepted the inevitable, prayed for forward motion, and dedicated ourselves to a life time of serving in truth and hope.

The celebration doesn’t have to end as we dry ourselves off. Our hearts can rejoice all days, even in the trials of life. The difference the water makes is that it states out loud that we are different. Let’s live like we are different, like we are loved, and like we have eternity on our side.

Glory to God in the Highest Heavens, always. He is good.

Join me as I track through 31 days of free writes with my Five Minute Writing Community. Today’s theme: FMF- TALK.  For more posts, please click here.