“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels,
that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.”
2 Corinthians 4:7
that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.”
2 Corinthians 4:7
“And in the greatness of Your excellence You have…”
Exodus 15:7
There is no true excellence apart from Christ. “As for the Almighty…He is excellent…” (Job 37:23) In His power and grace, He can accomplish excellence in and through us for His purposes and glory. In His strength, He can equips us to serve Him with excellence.
“I will make you an eternal excellence,
A joy of many generations.”
Isaiah 60:15
Our sweet young lady ~ Gabrielle
Our heart and prayer for her:
“…you are a woman of excellence.”
Ruth 3:11
This September, Gabrielle will begin her 7th year in studying and memorizing God’s Word through the Awana program at a local church’s Kids’ Club. Jim has faithfully served as a leader in Gabrielle’s group the entire time she has participated. This is a special, meaningful Daddy-Daughter activity they do together.
A few weeks ago, the Kids’ Club hosted their annual “Closing Ceremonies” and honored the children’s hard work in learning scripture with awards. We are both proud and humbled that Gabrielle was the recipient of the “Awana Excellence Award”. Gabrielle and her dear friend, Emily, both received this award for completing more handbooks than any other participants and memorizing the most scriptures ever in the program at that church. We celebrated with great joy and humility as these girls spurred one another on in learning God’s Word. (I can’t think of anything better that girlfriends could do together!)
Honestly, aside from regularly praying for my cherub, as Gabrielle’s mom I have had very little to do with Gabrielle’s accomplishments in Awana. She studies, sets goals, works diligently without being asked and even completes projects and Bible studies with very little assistance. We are thankful to the Lord for creating her this way and for placing these desires in her heart. We give Him the glory. “…all that we have accomplished, you have done for us….Your name alone do we honor.” (Isaiah 26:12-13)
Gabrielle is learning to sew God’s Word into her heart. NOTHING makes me more joyful, humbled and excited! I pray she ALWAYS loves and obeys God’s Word. I pray both of our cherubs, Joshua and Gabrielle, always delight in God’s Word, yield to God’s Word, hunger for God’s Word, reverence God’s Word and see the bountiful fruit in their lives from honoring His truth. May their lives, and our lives, reflect His grace and truth because they know Him and His Word.
A prayer for our cherubs:
Psalm 1:1-3, 6
“Blessed is the man
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.
For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.”
Gabrielle & Jim at the awards ceremony
Hannah (Emily’s sister) holding Gabrielle’s Excellence Award
Emily, Hannah, Gabrielle and Joshua ~ Rejoicing!
Jim with Gabrielle & Emily
I am so proud of all three!
As for God, His way is perfect;
the word of the LORD is flawless.
2 Samuel 22:31
“But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
whose confidence is in Him.
He will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.”
Jeremiah 17:7-8
“Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord…that I may gain Christ…”
Philippians 3:8
Once I realized that only through Him can I achieve excellence, well, the pressure came off. Kind of like trying to run a race without a healthy pace before – and now it's a walk with sure strides, knowing who I walk with.
Congratulations on such an encouraging moment. It is like a vitamin B12 shot to our spirits when we see evidence of what we have planted in a child.
Happy Mother's Day!
CUTE pictures. I have two weeks of AWANA left. Meaning my baby boy will be finishing up. After being in the program since he was three it is kind of sad. 🙁 Time flies by. He is almost 13 and will be in 7th grade next year.
Hope you had a beautiful Mother's day.