Your stories of “childhood wonder” are delightful. But, what caught my attention was “Each journey up and adventure down adds another memory of overcoming into her bank.” How I wish I had made more notes of overcoming! I know they are there in my memory bank. I forgot to take note of them. Or to give thanks to the one who was holding my hand as I traversed the ups and downs of life. Thank you Lord, for not letting go of my hand.
I was so blessed by this reminder yesterday when I read it. I was in a moment where I needed God to move and your comment reminded me to remember all the times where He has been faithful to move on my behalf. You are so right, we must remember and give thanks. For we too have a memory bank of overcoming, a memory bank of God's faithfulness to us. Testimonies that add strength to our heart when we feel weak and that implore us to believe that the God who was faithful is faithful to do it again. 😭
The stones story told me this: God has our true names and identities in the palm of His hands and He delights in them, in us. “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give some of the manna that has been hidden away in heaven. And I will give to each one a white stone, and on the stone will be engraved a new name that no one understands except the one who receives it.” - Revelation 2:17 NLT
I don’t usually ask the Spirit to share with me when I read; I assume He will and He does, but this time I asked Him to share what He wanted me to see.
I can’t tell you exactly why the image of your daughter slowly picking her way down the slope and beaming made me tear up, but I know that it’s a picture of my own life—asking Jesus to help me walk down into the valley and then back up and then down again. It’s been a lot of down, lately.
Then, your daughter beams. You beam. Jesus beams at me for taking the vulnerable step down.
I have been thinking about your comment over the last 4 days. The way that life really does feel like a journey of ups and downs and downs and ups. And how we grow in strength of heart and faith as we build our history with the God who comes with us in the ups and downs.
And how he smiles at us as we choose to trust him again, even if it means walking down into another valley. So beautiful. Thank you for sharing x
I think what stood out to me most in these stories is the sense of childhood wonderment that your daughter has—which is consistently carried throughout all three stories. I genuinely believe the Spirit was actually reaching out to her through her curiosity and hunger to learn. God blesses those who hunger and thirst for the truth after all.
It is said that the skies declare the glory of God and the horizons proclaim the works of His hands. And it's not just the skies. His handiwork exists everywhere: in the inner workings of the sun, in the soil where entire microscopic ecosystem thrives; in the righteous hearts of the faithful, and even in the faltering wisdom of the sinful.
It is through wonders like hers, God He has revealed so much to me—about Himself, and about who I am. I believe this wonder is one of the things He especially treasures in children. After all, Christ taught that we must receive the kingdom of heaven like a child: not with earned pride, but with awe, humility, and open hearts.
amen amen amen 🙌🏼 and may he continue to reveal himself to us through wonder and awe for the rest of our lives. So that we may always see how GREAT he is and how greatly He loves us. Thank you for sharing 🥲🧡
All three of these stories remind me of each of my children when they were little!
Like the first time they touched the water of a swimming pool or when we visited the beach for the first time in our then, small son’s life.
I when my husband and I were invited to an anniversary trip to Oregon! My husband had never seen the Pacific Ocean, our family drove to the beach during our visit to see the historical Lewis and Clark exhibits, and see/ experience a little time at the beach! My husband took off his shoes because shoes to step into the water/ ocean … a picture was taken to show that he had done it! Such child like exuberance too!
This brought tears to my eyes this morning! As my oldest son turned 35 today. What memories that you will treasure with your daughter forever. I sure do with my children. Seems like just yesterday they were doing those same things. I know it sounds cliche but time really does go so fast. Thank you for bringing back so many memories on my son's birthday.
I sense childlike wonder, curiosity, and confidence. As we get older, we tend to lose all of those things. I liked these stories and wouldn't mind reading more of them. Thanks for sharing.
Your stories of “childhood wonder” are delightful. But, what caught my attention was “Each journey up and adventure down adds another memory of overcoming into her bank.” How I wish I had made more notes of overcoming! I know they are there in my memory bank. I forgot to take note of them. Or to give thanks to the one who was holding my hand as I traversed the ups and downs of life. Thank you Lord, for not letting go of my hand.
I was so blessed by this reminder yesterday when I read it. I was in a moment where I needed God to move and your comment reminded me to remember all the times where He has been faithful to move on my behalf. You are so right, we must remember and give thanks. For we too have a memory bank of overcoming, a memory bank of God's faithfulness to us. Testimonies that add strength to our heart when we feel weak and that implore us to believe that the God who was faithful is faithful to do it again. 😭
He is so faithful. Faithful and True! Thank you Anna.
The stones story told me this: God has our true names and identities in the palm of His hands and He delights in them, in us. “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give some of the manna that has been hidden away in heaven. And I will give to each one a white stone, and on the stone will be engraved a new name that no one understands except the one who receives it.” - Revelation 2:17 NLT
Oh that is beautiful! I didn't think of that reference - a new name that no one understands except the one who receives it. 😭 Thank you for sharing!
The Slope—I am in tears.
I don’t usually ask the Spirit to share with me when I read; I assume He will and He does, but this time I asked Him to share what He wanted me to see.
I can’t tell you exactly why the image of your daughter slowly picking her way down the slope and beaming made me tear up, but I know that it’s a picture of my own life—asking Jesus to help me walk down into the valley and then back up and then down again. It’s been a lot of down, lately.
Then, your daughter beams. You beam. Jesus beams at me for taking the vulnerable step down.
I have been thinking about your comment over the last 4 days. The way that life really does feel like a journey of ups and downs and downs and ups. And how we grow in strength of heart and faith as we build our history with the God who comes with us in the ups and downs.
And how he smiles at us as we choose to trust him again, even if it means walking down into another valley. So beautiful. Thank you for sharing x
I think about God loving us like a doting parent. My inability is no surprise or hindrance to Him. Beautiful word Anna!
'My inability is no surprise or hindrance to Him' now that is a beautiful word Janet. Thank you 🥲
I think what stood out to me most in these stories is the sense of childhood wonderment that your daughter has—which is consistently carried throughout all three stories. I genuinely believe the Spirit was actually reaching out to her through her curiosity and hunger to learn. God blesses those who hunger and thirst for the truth after all.
It is said that the skies declare the glory of God and the horizons proclaim the works of His hands. And it's not just the skies. His handiwork exists everywhere: in the inner workings of the sun, in the soil where entire microscopic ecosystem thrives; in the righteous hearts of the faithful, and even in the faltering wisdom of the sinful.
It is through wonders like hers, God He has revealed so much to me—about Himself, and about who I am. I believe this wonder is one of the things He especially treasures in children. After all, Christ taught that we must receive the kingdom of heaven like a child: not with earned pride, but with awe, humility, and open hearts.
amen amen amen 🙌🏼 and may he continue to reveal himself to us through wonder and awe for the rest of our lives. So that we may always see how GREAT he is and how greatly He loves us. Thank you for sharing 🥲🧡
All three of these stories remind me of each of my children when they were little!
Like the first time they touched the water of a swimming pool or when we visited the beach for the first time in our then, small son’s life.
I when my husband and I were invited to an anniversary trip to Oregon! My husband had never seen the Pacific Ocean, our family drove to the beach during our visit to see the historical Lewis and Clark exhibits, and see/ experience a little time at the beach! My husband took off his shoes because shoes to step into the water/ ocean … a picture was taken to show that he had done it! Such child like exuberance too!
Oh this is beautiful. May we never forget to wonder and be in awe of at all that God has given to us.
This brought tears to my eyes this morning! As my oldest son turned 35 today. What memories that you will treasure with your daughter forever. I sure do with my children. Seems like just yesterday they were doing those same things. I know it sounds cliche but time really does go so fast. Thank you for bringing back so many memories on my son's birthday.
Awhhh 🥹 I feel so encouraged to keep writing down these memories and remembering what I know is a fleeting season, a fleeting life!
Happy Birthday to your son! And congratulations to you 🧡
I sense childlike wonder, curiosity, and confidence. As we get older, we tend to lose all of those things. I liked these stories and wouldn't mind reading more of them. Thanks for sharing.