This is Deborah Dryden. This is the firstborn offspring of the marital union of Authrine Dryden and myself. Today she celebrates her 8th birthday.
Of course 8 is not one of the big birthdays. 1 is a big one. 3 is a big one. 5 is a big one, 7 is a big one, 10 is a big one, 13 is another big one, 15 is a big one, 16 is a big one, 18 is a big one, 21 is a big one, 40 is a big one, 50 is a big one.
8? Not so much.
Yet there is still much to give thanks for in seeing the firstborn hit this birthday. She has come so far in those years, she has developed at an amazing rate and I am grateful to say I am the honoured father of an outstandingly intelligent, astute, sensitive and beautiful girl. Our conversations are really sophisticated and she will ask questions that even stumps her old man. It’s a great age. There is still the element of childlikeness about her – she is still a child after all – and yet her level of self-awareness and the awareness of the world around her is at a really intriguing stage.
Really intriguing.
Crucially she is at a stage where the story of Jesus has a storylike impression, but something more. She starts asking and exploring questions of who He is and what it is to pray. She is way more advanced than her Pops was at that age and my prayer is that as God works in her life, she can explore further for herself and reach her own conclusions, which will impact her life and the lives of her siblings and new friends where she is.
Thank God, however, that she is a pleasant, bright and cheerful girl who loves a laugh and like her Dad has an affinity with words. May her love of words lead her to love the Living Word.
For Her Name’s Sake
Shalom
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