Oh Happy Day....

Dear Father,

My birthday is coming up soon, the one where I became your daughter, I guess since you are the King of Kings that makes me a true princess! I remember the day well, you kept tugging my heart. It was around Easter and I was eight years old. I sat alone in the living room watching an animated version of the story of your crucifixion and resurrection. As I watched the story portraying you walking out of the tomb, alive, with the nail scarred hands....it hit me that you were SO real, and you loved me SO much, just like you had promised in your Word. I realized that this promise you had for me, of eternal life, it was REAL...not just another fairytale that I would read about.

Oh how I am so thankful that YOU change lives, and that YOU change who I am. Lord I know that all too often I struggle with pride, even though it is usually unintnional...and even at eight I remember that pride. The pride and fear that made me want to keep my feet firmly planted during the invitation and not walk forward for everyone to see that I was NOT perfect and that I DID sin. For months you had been calling me, and in my pride I never took that step, although I fought so hard during every invitation at church that I remember bawling, and tears rolling down my face. Somehow I thought that everyone just had this viewpoint that I was a perfect little girl who had already had you in her life...I thought that because my parents were Christians I would just inherit your kingdom....but I was starting to realize this was something that I had to decide on my own. It took many days of crying, and feeling you call me so strongly that I could NOT resist you any longer.

I remember that day, March 11th 1990 that I knew I could no longer resist you calling my name, and inviting me to be a part of your family. I wanted that forgiveness so bad, I wanted your acceptance so bad, I knew I was not perfect, I knew I sinned, I knew I was full of pride (although I didn't know that word at eight years old). But on that Sunday when it came time for the invitation I took that step, and after the first step each step became easier...and my fear began to melt away with excitement and joy as I KNEW that I was going to be with you someday, and that you loved me and you forgave me.

I can hardly believe it's already been twenty years. Oh Father how that excites me and scares me all in one. I want to continue to grow in you, to serve you, and to love others through you. I am so sorry for all the times I continue to fall short of YOUR glory, and I pray I continue to grow.............OH Happy Day! The day you became my Father....

Thank you for letting me be a part of your family, for forgiving me and accepting me for who I am in my very non-perfect life......I love you Lord!