Today my oldest daughter turns 15. I've been calling her my "Samuel" for a couple of years now because she and I know that God has called her at a young age to be a light in a dark world - with her music as well as her life. Arielle is proof to me that God has a hope and a plan for the future and for the next generation. As she attends public highschool and goes about her life in a messed up world, she lives a Christ-like life that doesn't waver. She looks at every situation, every opportunity, every relationship as a training ground or a mission field. She knows and acknowledges that she is in training for whatever the Lord has called her for later in life. She refuses to hide behind religious walls to stay hidden away or sheltered. It would be like crushing a blooming flower underfoot. Her spiritual beauty and fragrance is made for all to experience.Though she is not perfect and though I still have to "parent" her- she is obviously shepherded by the Great Shepherd Himself. When most experts (in all the parenting books) would say to pull in the reigns or keep her away from the world- they cannot give me the insight to know that God will show His faithfullness through her. She has confidence in her Heavenly Father's plans- that He will keep her to Himself so that she will be a shining light for Him-- and He does!I have to admit, I have doubted God's faithfulness and wanted to put trust in man's teaching and suggestions. I have doubted that one single young lady can have an effect on others- not to mention whole groups of others. I have doubted that she could stay humble, pure and focused being only one among a sea of others who are foreigners. Yet the Lord has stayed faithful and He has spoken through her- of His promises and faithfullness. Where I had little faith and much doubt- she had much faith and no doubt. God has honored that in her life and used it to show me His great influence through her, especially lately through some remarkable things happening in other people's lives.This is something she wrote during a time when i doubted and she had faith:one against allme- so smallso strong they seemthem, together a teamwith God i can over-risewithout compromisejust like david, a heroLord, let your spirit flowpeople have doubts and dont believeoh Lord, please let them see...that yet even one like me....can change what we see~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~against all oddsdavid so young-so small-just him and the Lord-they overcame the enemygoliath fellagainst all oddsme so young-so small-just me and the Lord- can overcome the enemy....its calledfaith.At a time in my life when I was living for myself, Arielle was sent to me to get me back on the straight and narrow, to get my focus back on what really matters. I think she will be doing this all of her life in others' lives as well.She truly amazes me. Her outgoing personality, her boldness- to be different and outspoken. In these ways she is everything I wished I could have been in my vulnerable teen years. But to round out these qualities, she has a sweetness, a humbleness and a gift of discernment that often surpasses my own.When people meet her they never forget her. She doesn't go anywhere without leaving a mark, without leaving a fragrant air of Christ behind.Anyway, I just thought I'd get all of these thoughts down on this special day of hers. She is a gift to me and to this world. May the Lord continue to do His work in and through her.Happy Birthday, Arielle!Love, Mom (Chanin)
