It’s been an interesting “watch” … this observing her as she navigates her thoughts about growing a year older. For months, she’s been planning her birthday festivities and adding to her “gift list”. A couple of days ago, I caught her staring at herself in the mirror. When I asked her what she was doing, she simply replied, “I’m seeing if I look any older.”
Miss Amelia has longed for seven ever since she turned six. It’s the way of her young heart … looking forward and hoping that with this birthday will come more maturity, more responsibility, more being the grown-up she sees in her older family members. It’s hard being the caboose of the family some days. She wants to catch up to the rest of us; she seems to think she’s missing out on something by being the youngest.
Being seven, to Amelia, seems a whole lot better than staying six. But for all of the reasons she could articulate behind her desire to see this day arrive, there’s still a part of her that longs to remain a child. I saw a glimpse of it yesterday.
Amelia closed the door to our bedroom (always a good indication that she is up to something, perhaps even trying to hide something). When I opened the door, she quickly turned off the television. I asked her what she was watching. She was hesitant and then softly said, “A baby show, Mom, and I didn’t want anyone to know. Seven-year-olds don’t watch baby shows.” I nodded my understanding and then left her to her internal wrangling regarding the issue.
Somewhere between six and seven comes a struggle—a season of clarification between our baby days and our moving on to maturity. Biblically speaking, the number seven is a number representing completeness and perfection:
*God’s seventh day rest after six-days of creation (Genesis 1-2:4);
*Seventh year sabbatical rest of the land (Lev. 25:2-7);
*Feast of Tabernacles and Passover lasted seven days (Judges 14:12, 17);
*Pharoah’s dream regarding the land / seven good years, seven famine years (Genesis 41:1-36);
*Seven churches in Revelation (Revelation 2-3);
*Forgiveness requirements = 70 x 7 (Matthew 18:21-22).
And while I’m not obsessed with the numeric aspect of Scripture, I do think there is something to this “seven”. At the least, it intrigues me, especially as I walk through this day with my daughter and see her wrestling with the issue. She wants to grow up, yet there remains her inclination, a smaller preference for her former days.
As is goes with Amelia, so it goes with my own heart. To get to “seven”—my completion, my perfection and my final end—I’ve got to move past “six.” I think I’ve been stuck on “six” for a long season. I think we all could echo the same. Days when we desire to know the fullness of what our Father has intended for us to be, yet days when we can’t seem to get past the “baby” in us.
As Christians on pilgrimage to a better country, there is a sacred tension we walk between the celebration of our seven and the seemingly interminability of our six. We long for the arrival of the party, for the recognition of our completion, yet we’re caught in our current status of growth. These six years that belong to us—the lifespan between our birth and our death—seem long and laborious most days. When we look in the mirror, we see the witness of a six-year season that hasn’t always been kind but that is more than willing to carve its wrinkled remembrance. Like my daughter, we are looking for signs of growth indicating that our “seven” stands ready on the horizon and that our maturity has warranted our participation in the celebration.
The party is not long off, friends. Soon, each of us will move from our six to our seven. We will sit with our Host, look back over the scenes of our lives and, together with him, call it done, completed … a perfection that’s been worth the six years’ collection of steps to get there.
And if today’s celebration in my family is any indication of what our “seven” is going to be like, then there will be cake and presents a plenty, a song or two sung in our honor, and lots of wishes come true.
May you, each one, know this day that seven is on its way. The six we now journey is preparing our hearts for the seven that is soon to arrive. I look forward to sharing the party with you. As always,
Oh Amelia, I wish for you the happiest of 7th birthdays and I pray this 7th year will be full of sweet surprises and many blessings.
Enjoy this 7th year – don't worry about 8 – it will come!
Only you Elaine can find such depth in celebrating a 7th brithday! When my head clears (bad day at work), I will come back and savor these words. I am needing a seventh day or at least a Friday! So, I can rest!
Shalom,
Denise
Happy Birthday Amelia!!!
I enjoyed reading this post, you left me with much to think about.
Talking about little girls and birthdays…oh how the time flies. My little girl registered for 7th grade today and will be thirteen in two months…any words of encouragement for the number 13. Or is it just plain bad? I'm gonna need heavy duty prayers this year, aren't I? 🙂
7 God's perfect number…..Happy birthday to your sweet dh…. Oh the joys that await her…..
I have not been around in a while, seems that summer steals time!
My daughter turned seven in April. Seven is fabulous! Happy Birthday to your daughter…such a blessing.
Amy
Happy Birthday Amelia!
Wow, day 7 is here in the eyes of our redemption! But we need to find it within the life we live here on this earth as well. Resting in His work in every aspect of our lives will bring it to us. This post was just amazing Elaine. i agree with Denise. Only you could find such depth in celebrating a child's 7th birthday! And you did it gloriously!
Christy
Happy birthday to your darling Amelia!
What you said about our being six, longing for seven is so very true! It made me think and remember that as long as I'm still six, I want to enjoy every moment of being this way, while also knowing that something better awaits in the distance. Your posts always bless and challenge me. Thank you, Elaine!
Happy Birthday!
And, I'm with ya, headed to the party! ! ! P-a-r-t-y!!!
So precious!!!
Happy Birthday to your precious beautiful little girl!!!
I so enjoyed this.
Love you sister.
Happy 7th birthday sweet Amelia!
You are such a beautiful young lady, so full of life.
I pray your wish will come true.
Thanks Elaine for sharing this precious moment with us.
And I'll never forget these words:
The party is not long off, friends. Soon, each of us will move from our six to our seven. We will sit with our Host, look back over the scenes of our lives and, together with him, call it done, completed … a perfection that’s been worth the six years’ collection of steps to get there.
You are amazing Elaine♥
What a FUN party…wonderful memories to hold in years to come.
Such a pretty birthday girl!
God's blessings
Happy Birthday to your precious Amelia!!! My baby will be 9 in October. I posted a picture of her today on my blog.
Love and hugs in Christ,
Paula
Elaine, I love the comparison you made between Amelia's birthday party and our "7" party in heaven. Cake, huh? Yippee! 🙂
Happy Birthday Amelia! This is the year of God's favor over you. Seven is God's favorite number – where everything is made perfect. It's a wonderful life from this day forward if you hold on to Jesus!
Elaine: Loved this part where you wrote:
"As Christians on pilgrimage to a better country, there is a sacred tension we walk between the celebration of our seven and the seemingly interminability of our six. We long for the arrival of the party, for the recognition of our completion, yet we’re caught in our current status of growth."
I wish I could have had a mother like you when I was seven!!!
Choosing JOY, Stephanie
[JESUS – the One I THIRST For]
Oh, Happy, Happy Birthday to Miss Amelia! Ahh, seven. What a great age. They are still pretty sweet at seven. Maybe that's the significance of the number…
Can't wait to hear how the weekend went!
Happiest Birthday to Miss Amelia!
Elaine-what a concept from a little girl turning from six to seven… and us maturing from our less-than-perfect six… to our one-day-soon seven. I love it!
Happy Birthday, Amelia.
And this is a wonderfully insightful and important post, Elaine. SO glad seven IS coming.
Happy Birthday Amelia!
And (as always) what an amazing post!!!!
Happy 7th birthday sweet girl!!
My granddaughter will be 7 in November and it is truly sad to see her going from that babyish 6 to being grown up! I can't stand it!
I love the remainder of your post on the perfection of 7. Great stuff!
Happy Birthday Amelia! My own youngest girl turned 20 on the 4th…we celebrated her last day as a teen and my last day of as a teen's mom! :o)
Stuck on Six…man, oh man, can I ever relate! Great food (or cake??) for thought this day, friend!
Hugs,
Melinda
Oh Happy Happy Birthday Amelia!!
Elaine this post blessed my soul today – thank you so much for all your marvelous thoughts! 🙂
wifeforthejourney:
Every day with Amelia is like a window of discovery into my wifeforthejourney's past. I never get tired of seeing how you have left your mark upon our daughter. Though our three boys will always love thier momma, there is something special to behold about Amelia's attachment to you.
How our Amelia embodies that desire that we all have for more AND that longing to hold on to what is past. What a wonderful journal of family life you have laid out for us today. May we all not overlook the blessing of today in favor of past or future.
Thanks for being the best mom and wife a man could want!
Love,
Billy
Elaine,
My mouth has gotten me in trouble more times than I can count too! I am just so thankful for God's grace and mercy as He continues to mold me into His likeness…
Thank you for stopping by and always leaving such encouraging comments!! 🙂
Be Blessed!! Lauren
Looks like Amelia had a great celebration! I was looking for the family birthday hat, and was NOT disappointed! I have to say, though, that I enjoyed seeing the other sparkling hat – the patriotic one – on the gentleman singing such great harmony during the birthday song! LOVED IT! What a happy family you have, Elaine.
Oh, and one more thing. Billy's sweet comment to you made me cry! It was so touching…
This was a great post…looking forward to sharing the party with you, too.
Love,
Beth
Happy Birthday Amelia!!! I love her birthday hat and what a fun cake! oh to be seven again and looking forward to the blessings ahead of her:)
I am so looking forward to my 'seven' when I raise my eyes and see Jesus in all His glory. I know that I will immediately fall to the floor in worship, but oh to be in heaven with Him.
Happy Birthday to Miss Amelia!~
Leah
Happy 7th Birthday, Amelia!
Is that her grandfather singing in the video with the glittery cap? So sweet. Thanks for such a precious glimpse into your family.
Completion. Perfection. A party. And some songs.
Just what every girl wants.
Just what our Prince has planned for us.
But like your daughter, we sometimes get stuck at six.
Happy Birthday, Miss Amelia!–a bit late.
And sweet dreams.
What a wonderful post and great insight. And Happy Birthday to Amelia! Blessings to all.
Such a sweet post – and I love that video! (Don't you just love how there is always one lone Cha Cha Cha-er in every song of Happy Birthday:) ) Happy Birthday, Amelia! Praying this year is all you looked forward to….
Happy Birthday Amelia as you have now joined my Ethan into the 7th year. I always feel that 7 is a "come come come mommy I need you" and then "go away mommy I am big enough" a train wreck of leaving that baby behind and embracing that expectation of being more mature. I love this age.
Happy Birthday Amelia!
What a wonderful celebration.
I too can't wait to get past my 6 into His 7. I feel so weird (there is no other way to describe it) being home from She Speaks. It was a wild ride, and one I would do over again, gladly.
There is so much I came away with, and i have only started writing about it! I didn't think it would take me this long to start really writing about it. It keeps coming out in bits and pieces to others.
I finally was able to process through some of it (3 hours on the phone today) with my best friend. That helped immensely as she let me share, and cry, and cried with me, as we pondered all the changes in me …that she has seen… in the past 2+ years that we have known each other.
God has done some amazing things, and will continue to. But it is so hard to be patient and wait on His timing for that 7th birthday, isn't it?!
Thank you for the beautiful word picture.
Love and God bless,
Heather
Never one to be late to the party, I'm probably very tardy in wishing both Amelia and you a truly precious day of birthday celebrating. What a cutie!
"The party is not long off, friends. Soon, each of us will move from our six to our seven." You can be sure I won't be late for this one. Just imagining the work underway already (while I wait in my six) gives me goosebumps.
Blessings and hugs, my friend.
Kathleen
I commented earlier but wanted to thank you for lisiting your 5 Things Friday. I too love the mountains. And sitting on the porch-esp. if it faces the mountains-is a glorious pastime for me. I am a big reader and last year Craig and I took a trip to a bed n breakfast in the mountains and spent most of the time on the porch, reading, rocking, and meditating on the glory of the Lord as we drank in the magnificent view. Thanks for playing along!
I posted a link to this blog post on my Saturday Site Seeing. I love the way you wove in the insight on the number 7 and encouraged my readers to click over and read it.
Stop by when you can. You are a treasure "bloggy" friend! Blessings.
Oh, my heart just melted when I read what you wrote about your daughter indulging in a "baby show" but not wanting to let anyone know. What a beautiful, innocent, and awesome change that is going on there. I remember that feeling!
I connected to your site via Jean Stockdale's recommendation. I'm glad to "meet" you!
This one really touched my heart as my 6 is now nearer 7 than 6 himself. Thank you for articulating your daughter's ambivalence being between the two. I had honestly never realized that 6 is it's own stage, although admittedly, 7 is decidedly more grown up. DS is content most days with being a kid–he's even been known to declare "being a kid is fun." And yet, of late, he's reaching ever-more toward more grown-up things. Our TV is still frequently tuned to "baby" shows that carry a "Y" rating; he's undeniably pulled to everything "Y7." Maybe I need to see that as more than simple programming choices, but his own readiness to reach toward a new maturity.
I'M not ready–for his 7 or my own!
A belated happy bithday to Amelia, whose seven years are great light in your life! Her bright eyes and precious smile tell much. You are blessed, dear friend!
Thank you for praying and rejoicing with me! God is so faithful! I held His peace close to my heart as Jeff went in for the procedure. I admit I was moved to fear within, but by God's grace, still held to His promise.
He is so good! I am still in awe!
I am moved by your post. I find myself at a crossroads. I want to launch out further into ministry, yet I savor God's will and am compelled to wait on Him.
I do want to check out the speaking info. Thanks for sharing.
Take care. You are faithful! God will bless you, dear friend. For the seeds you have sown and do sow, you will reap a great harvest.
Grace and Peace to You This Day,
Andrea
Hello Mrs. Elaine:)
That is cool that your daughter turned 7! I understand what you are saying about being at "6" and wanting to move on to the perfect "7". We all are striving to be pleasing to Him:) Good and faithful servants:)
Much love in Him, Blessings:)
katiegfromtennessee
Well my friend…you did it again. What a beautiful post.
Thinking my turning forty-SEVEN is going to be easier than I thought.
Belated birthday wishes to your little princess. Miss Amelia is adorable!!! The video is priceless!!!! LOVE IT!!!!
Hugs to you,
Joy
Happy Birthday, Amelia.
She so cute and looks like her Mommy.
Happy 7th Birthday, Amelia! What a joyous and fulfilling celebration, especially after a "Wave of Empty". 🙂
And, yes, as I rejoice in Amelia's 7th, I am looking forward to our own "seven", too. In fact, I can hardly wait to celebrate with you there!
PS-If we had a second daughter, her name would have been Amelia Anne. 🙂