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A Morning View Near the Patio

Today I will start with the scripture. Proverbs 22:6 says, "Start children off on the way they should go and even when they are old, they will not turn from it."
Growing up my parents had me in church. I went to Sunday School, I attended Vacation Bible School, I was involved in choir, youth group and went multiple weeks to summer camp. We attended Sunday morning worship, Sunday night service and Wednesday night bible study. The doors were open, we walked through them. Church had a major impact in raising me up as a child.
Yesterday was a day to remember my past. I had a great Facebook interaction with the man who helped me understand my need to surrender my life to Jesus Christ at the age of 8. He helped me make a profession of faith to God through Jesus Christ. As best I could at such a young age, I understood the need for the Savior in my life. Because of that conversation, I reflected on the many who invested in me. As I sat and named names in my head of all of you still on this earth and all the saints gone home to eternity who have believed in and invested in me, I give thanks. I was so overwhelmed with the people God has put on my path to help shape me, mold me and become the child who never turned away from God.
Trust me, I did not and have not alway been the perfect model of being a follower of Jesus Christ. There have been many moments of walking through the "valley of the shadow of death!" But God was there. God was certainly there through those he has put into my life to help this child stay in the way of the Lord. Some have walked through the valley with me. Some were prayers warriors praying for me, many of which I never knew were praying. Many have been examples I have watched and learned from. Others of you were intentional in listening to me, guiding me and helping me recover in times of darkness in my life. There are those who have called me out of my comfort zone as I follow my call to formal ministry. A few are my go to people to safely share my heart and life with. I am amazed in how many it took to raise this child of God!
For all of you I give thanks! Thank you and may God bless you with reward in your crown! Truly I am a life changed by God through all of you!
This summer I get to celebrate my 50th anniversary of saying yes to the gift of God chasing me with his love, grace and forgiveness. What a journey, but what a gift! Fifty years walking with Jesus Christ! The only thing better than this at this point on my life will be celebrating my first day in eternity with the Lord!
Today I give thanks for all who believed in me. I give thanks for God relentlessly pursuing me my whole life. I give thanks for what God is going to do every tomorrow and I give thanks for those on my journey I have yet to meet! Praise be to God!
Peace,
PB

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