Yesterday we went to an event hosted by the McIntosh family. They were celebrating their oldest child, Charles' graduation from high school, as well as a Bat Barakah for their two oldest daughters, Hannah and Grace. A Bat Barakah means daughter of blessing and it is a Christian version of a Hebrew rite of passage into womanhood.
Family and friends were gathered and after the ceremonies, there was a huge meal in the church basement.
I don't know if I've been to a family event with God all over it more than this one. As you know, once you've been where the Holy Spirit is working heavily, it is impossible to put it into words.
Anyone (almost) can have a 'Christian' event that is pleasant and has some meaning. However, when there are lives that have taken steps of obedience which cost them something, you can feel God moving in your heart when they speak of their love for God and for each other.
There were tears from the parents, tears from the children, tears from grandparents, an aunt and tears from friends. Parents spoke highly of their children, and rightly so. The parents willingly opened the door for greater responsibility for the children. The children vowed with authenticity their desire to still consult with their parents with the major decisions of life. And, so much love flowing over and around!
As Don said in his sharing, these children are going out as a blaze for God! We are anticipating with joy what God will yet do through these three young adults and the seven other children in this family.
When I looked in the faces of others in the sanctuary, I saw some who were resonating with what was happening in the spiritual realm, and were drinking it all in with joy. Others had an evident skepticism and holding back. That familiar: "That's nice...I'm happy for them...but I'm not so bad a person...and that kind of life is not for me." Oooohhh my! How I have seen that attitude before! What are we letting ourselves be robbed of for that unwillingness to 'give it ALL'? How robbed are our children? our grandchildren? And each generation afterward? What about all the souls around us we/they are called to encourage through our life of full surrender? Is mediocrity and worldliness acceptable to the Lord? And, oh my, what joy and love and pleasures of God are we sidestepping!! With such pictures right before us, how will we be held accountable?
As you can see, I was stirred...and blessed...and challenged. May the Lord continue to move through His people and do things that man in all his well intentioned attempts cannot duplicate!!
