Oh Happy Day!

Lest this blog sounds braggadocios, I'm using a scripture to explain: “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” ( Corinthians 1:31)

Please indulge me as I boast on God’s faithfulness, His goodness, and His mercy to me. After Elizabeth declared “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb” to Mary, Mary broke into song: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” (Luke 6:46)

That is how I feel today, December 8th, the birthday of my precious daughter. I've seen God's purposes for her life fulfilled in some of the most miraculous ways. For the first months of her life, she was a sick baby with many bouts of pneumonia. Eventually, she was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. The enemy lost that battle. She was healed, and our faith grew exponentially. "What the enemy meant for evil, God turned it for good." (Genesis 50:20)

She was a "Daddy's girl and she became his God-given "project". He understood from the beginning that God was going to use her life in many significant ways. He was her sports, voice, stage, and life coach. You should have seen the likes of his training and coaching our girl. Many times, in tears, she'd come to me asking for my intervention for Daddy to let up.

"Practice. Practice. Practice" was his philosophy. He succeeded, and that little girl eventually knew no fear on the basketball court or any stage she was on – belting out another song on camera, speaking to huge audiences with high profile people, or the simple, one-on-one encounters when she introduced that one to Jesus in a personal, intimate way.

We named her Staci Michelle (resurrection life; like God). We know “heaven” gave us those names because she has proven both names in the way she is consistently bringing Christ’s resurrection life to others. And, on so many levels, is like God in her love for people and love for seeing them come to know His Son and experience His abundant life. She has led by example in integrity and character in business and life -- sincerely making a difference in so many people's lives.

Her Daddy and I planted many seeds of faith into her from her very beginning. She knew that the enemy lost his battle on stealing her life at a young age and she has been giving him “hell” ever since with her relentless passion to change the world. She brings resurrection life to just about everyone she encounters. She is relentless in helping them find a new life from one of rejection, defeat, depression, darkness, and pain -- because the closeness she has with God magnetically draws them closer to HIM.

As I'm typing this, it is no secret, I AM a proud and thankful mom. This girl became one of our greatest investments! The dividends from that investment came in untold ways. The time, tears, and finances we invested into her achieved great rewards. I tell you this story -- celebrating this day and the precious life God gave us, but mostly to tell Moms and Dads: "INVEST in your kids. Take time to give them the best of you!”

Cultivate their talents. Teach them about God and His faithfulness and absolutely knowing that "nothing is impossible with Him". What a payback for an investor! The payback of years of growth, rich rewards, paying forward to the next generation (their children and grandchildren) is the greatest reward. And the multiplied blessings of that investment goes way beyond our own family. It spreads to others. Those seeds bear fruit in many other people's lives. After many years of investing into what matters most, the effort is worth it. Our investment reaps many rewards.

My precious Staci! Today is YOUR day, I honor you, esteem you and I call myself "Blessed among women, and blessed is the fruit of my womb!" I love you so much and thank God for the gift of you to me! Happy, happy birthday, my beautiful, amazing daughter and mighty woman of God!