31st Anniversary Prayer from Alexa (Nov 4 2009)

A prayer for mom and dad...

Father,

I just want to thank you for giving me parents who have followed and feared you throughout all their years together.

Thank you for giving me parents who trained up their children in the way they should go -- from reading the Bible in the evenings (even the mysterious book of Hezzekiah) to learning life lessons from The Millers and the Bayou, to instilling solid Calvinist values in us from an early age: "Why did God make you and all things? For his own glory!" I see so few people, even Christians, who have this solid foundation of truth -- and amidst all of today's postmodernism, there is nothing greater than knowing the truth.

Thank you for giving me parents who have remained my closest friends through the years. I meet so many people who don't want to go home for the holidays. But I can't wait to see my family and look forward to those walking-home-from-work calls every day! There's nothing more restful than just being at home with my family, eating ice cream cake, enjoying mom's amazing baking and dad's delicious cooking, and snuggling on the couches. Thank you for giving me a family with that kind of love and closeness!
And thank you for parents who've always reminded us that your siblings are going to be your closest friends throughout the rest of your life. I'm still always amazed when I see things like how Sam wanted to call home every day when she visited us in SF -- what teenagers want to do that?! But you've given our family a love and a bond that is really unlike any other. I pray that you'll continue to sustain it through the years.
I also thank you for all of the others they've brought into our family through the years. They've shown us what it means to open up arms and hearts to others. From Xavion and Savannah to Wayne to Hannah to Kathleen and Jake, our family is more than the 5 of us, and I thank you for giving me parents who are always eager to adopt more into this love! I pray that I'll be able to model this openness and hospitality throughout my life.

Thank you for giving me an example of what true love is -- a commitment that lasts through good times and bad times. When Seth and I decided to say "I love you," was when we realized that love is not about finding the perfect person -- because even if they were perfect at first, you may soon realize they have flaws you never imagined -- but instead it's about finding perfect commitment: Someone who is willing to stick with you, come what may.
Thank you for giving me parents who modeled this kind of love. There is no more perfect love than a commitment grounded in you! Considering how many people I meet these days who live together but don't want to get married because they fear they won't stay "right for each other" and won't be able to "change together" -- having parents who modeled real love that endures past all changes and all hardships and all the good times as well is such a rare blessing.

Thank you for showing me what it means to lift our faces towards you, even in the midst of the darkest times -- showing me what it means to say, "though he may slay me, yet will I trust in him." Sometimes I just can't believe the hardships and experiences that mom and dad have gone through, and are somehow able to praise you anyway. So many people would have run from you by now.
Yet mom and dad somehow have found their strength in you and have drawn closer to you through it all. Thank you for making them a light for you in the darkest times -- I know that so many people have seen it and been baffled. I know that through mom and dad, you have drawn so many people closer to yourself.

I also thank you for the model of hard work and selflessness that you've given me. I watch mom and dad at his job, just pouring themselves out -- like that Giving Tree -- till there's little left for themselves. They have poured so much into this family without expecting anything in return.
But now I pray God that YOU will fill THEM up. Give them your strength and your grace as it continues to overflow to others. I pray that today and each day they will feel refreshed and alive in you anew.
I pray that you'll give them strength in the days ahead -- watching Sam head off to college, continuing to work hard and enjoying the days ahead that you'll give us. Where there are fears and worries, I pray that they'll be able to cast all their cares upon you.

Give them strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow!

Great is your faithfulness.

Amen

P.S. I love you both so much! I didn't get to make you an interactive card this year... but since it's almost turkey season, don't forget to listen to the turkey song here: Snippets of Recordings for Mother's Day