Last week, it was Esther’s turn to celebrate her birthday, turning six on 1 May.  It being a public holiday, we got her agreement to go for her outing a day earlier to avoid the crowds.  Esther had been asking to go to the beach for some time now, so Serene and I made a special effort to bring all seven children there.  Our beach outing started out a little tentatively as it was raining and the sky was dark and gloomy (read “Oh Me Of Little Faith“).  But everything turned out well in the end.  Praise God! 

I wrote “Happy Birthday Esther” in the sand and got her to pose for a photo.  Later, when I was packing up, Esther picked up a branch and started writing in the sand too.  Not wanting to waste any time, I told her to stop playing and to get ready to shower.  Obediently, she stopped and waited for me.  Then, something prompted me to allow her to continue with whatever she was writing.  When I finished packing the bags, an excited Esther called out to me, “Daddy, Daddy, look!”  I turned to see what she wrote, and there in the sand were the words, “Thank you, Daddy.”  That really melted my heart.

The next day, we had her birthday dinner at Jack’s Place.  As at David’s birthday dinner, Esther tucked into two minute steaks again!  Serene baked a special brownie as her birthday cake.

Happy 6th Birthday, my dear Esther!  May you continue to grow into the giftings and talents that the Lord has placed within you, that you will one day serve Him and declare His glorious Name throughout the world!