Plans and Steps

Every morning, I try to remember to pray, "Lord, we've made our plans, but ask that you ordain our steps and help us to walk confidently and contentedly in them."

So...I was blessed by One's recognition of God's goodness to her today -- her 11th birthday.

Each of our children has been honored with the big birthday "to do" party at 5 years old, and then starting with 6, is welcome to choose how she would like to spend her birthday. In past years, One has chosen to celebrate her's in several different ways.

For her 6th, she wanted to visit the beach. We'd never been, so we packed up the sand toys and headed to South Padre Island -- it was a real delight! Two even took her first steps on that trip.

For her 7th birthday, she had a small-scale party with a "Spirit: Stallion of the Cimmaron" cake and pioneer outfit for a gift. This was the year of Laura Ingalls and Caddie Woodlawn.

2003 was the year for PBS' Liberty's Kids and her favorite character, of course, was Sarah Philips. So, for birthday #8, she had a few more friends she wished to invite, a few games were played where there was a little less furniture at the time, she donned her new gift and enjoyed her cake that was themed around the American Girls books that she enjoyed so much.

For her 9th, she played it rather quiet, inviting Best Friend for a sleep-over. They two made room at the table for one of the Little Women friends who just dropped by to say, "hi."

Number 10 was also quiet. She received the Elsie Dismore series of books and I made her a cute cake with draped icing and m&ms placed just so, to look like buttons. She wanted to spend the day with her family.

She had many options open to her for today: she could have had a tea, or she could have a party, but she opted for another sleep over with Best Friend. They were to have spent most of Friday, and Saturday together with a trip to the pool planned. I was dreading it a little because I awoke Friday feeling rather awful -- sore throat and stuffed nose. I didn't say anything, except to caution One to be honest if she began to feel that tickle in her throat. She did. Oh! How she hated to call her friend to postpone, but she did it knowing that she wouldn't truly enjoy her time if she felt bad.

And that brings me to her recalling God's goodness to her today. She rested Friday, slept well and awoke refreshed and healthy. So today, she was able to open gifts, spend a quiet day with family, have dinner at her favorite restaurant, accept a ride in the rumble seat of a 1931 Ford Model A from a neighbor who was working on his car, and wrap up the day with a trip to the bookstore with Daddy, who bought her a Green Tea Frappasomething or other at Starbucks! All this and she still gets to have a sleep over with Best Friend next weekend -- and we saved the cake until then, too! Not a bad deal! She was glad she trusted Him and is so grateful after all, for the steps He ordained. What a blessing. 'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus.