Dear Friends,
After three years we had another baby to love. While sitting on the bed one night trying to select the most suitable name, all we could think of was “victory.” We were experiencing incredible victory in our new walk with God. Rationale soon returned and the name Victoria was real close to victory. Ann was a generational name, so we were very happy with Ann Victoria. Stephen was excited, too.
But God was asking for Isaacs. Isaacs are people and things that have a tendency to cling. Nothing clings like a child. Something in you dies when a child is born and something lives. Your life is now for another and their desires and needs are the dominant priority of your life. But if there is no release, what had been a privilege becomes an idol. This causes havoc in the grown relationships of life.
Today we are amazed at the spiritual wisdom of our children and wonder whose they are. We clarify Whose they are: Jesus Christ’s alone.
Ann’s name dignifies her disposition. As a child, she was happy, content, loving, conscientious, and a mystery with words and conceptions.
At age six she came to her father, sat on his knee, and said, “I want to find Jesus.” Her walk with Christ was very real and expressed so naturally; at times it was very humorous.
At age eight she attended a camp meeting where Don was preaching and went forward to be filled with the Holy Spirit. On the way home we asked her what the Lord had done for her. She said, “I opened the door of my heart a little way to Jesus when I was six. Now I’m eight. I opened my heart as wide as I could. He came in, sat down, and read the newspaper.” Jesus found His rest and this was the story of her life (Psalm 132:14).
At an early age, I taught the children how to apply the scriptures—especially before they went to school. While gulping their breakfast, I took a milk and coffee-stained spiral notebook and we applied one verse at a time. First it was by repetition: “I can . . . I can do all . . . things through Christ . . . who strengthens me.”
I would ask, “What things can you do today?”
“I can make a good grade on my test.”
“I can have a friend to walk down the hall with.” Gradually, they were hooked on the scriptures.
Steve asked me many years later if I still had the breakfast-stained spiral. I wish I could have presented him this treasure.
Let’s go back to day one of our new baby daughter. I awoke early and was praising the Lord. In my spirit I heard Him say, “Would you give the joys of raising her to Me? I would like to have her.” I knew I was to release her, but how? I believe God wanted me to reel in my anxious hold and always trust that He was doing His job raising our children. There were plenty of times we didn’t know how but continually turned to James 1:5, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God . . . ” So I said, “Yes, Lord.” It felt good and I knew Ann was safe.
Don awoke at 5:00 a.m. He opened the Word to the Psalms. “Whom have I in heaven beside Thee? And there is none that I desire on earth beside Thee.”
He said, “God, you want Ann, don’t you?”
When Don arrived at the hospital, we both rejoiced that God had preceded us. God is a wonderful Father; He’s done a marvelous job. He’s been in charge all their lives as they work out their own original walk with Jesus Christ. Now they are great parents. They minister to us almost daily.
A Tribute to our Children
Little Ann, Little Stephen, now you’re all grown-up,
With your spouses and children, a cat and a pup.
What do you remember, Little Ann and Stephen Boy?
We hope there are memories that bring you some joy.
You’ll never remember the love, not in part, the things we hold precious, down deep in our heart.
Bless you, our dears, for grandchildren more.
Better parents, you, than we’ll ever score.
You make every day special; your spouses do, too.
An on-going joy, til earth we be through.
We knew Him in covenant, thanks to Abraham.
All through Jesus, the God-made man.
We found Him in Joseph, the chosen man, from prison to ruler, took charge of his clan.
We found Him in Jacob, knew which son to pick.
Blessed Manasseh and Ephraim, leaning on his stick.
What say we more of David and Samuel, Moses and Hannah, Joshua and Daniel.
We know them, by name, can call we.
But only one apple in our family tree.
His name is Jesus, Little Ann and Stephen Boy.
He’s given us all, unspeakable joy.
He’s parent to all of us, on each branch of the tree.
And each one says “in-di-vid-u-ally.”
For now and forever, and ever will be, from earth to heaven, Just Jesus and me.
So we take a bow now, Keep running the race.
Little Ann, Little Stephen Boy—You are trophies of grace.
We love you,
Mother and Father