For Miss Amelia who crashed onto my scene six years ago this day, teaching me of tender and pink and lovely! Together, we are finding our pretty in Jesus Christ. You are my heart, precious daughter. Happy Birthday.
August 5, 2002
“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.”
(1 John 3:1-2).
Some say I look like her.
(grandma maybelle, elaine)
Some say she looks like me.
(elaine, daughter amelia)
Either way, I don’t mind. I like family imprints and being able to trace genetic resemblances from one generation to the next.
It shouts the message of connection…
of belonging.
of fitting.
of having roots…past, present, and future.
There’s something sacred about family resemblances—a deep, abiding truth that lies within the woven fabric of a shared identity. There are no random or accidental look alikes. My favoring of grandma and my daughter’s favoring of me is by divine design. God had a say in the matter, and I like knowing that the same hands who formed Maybelle are the same hands who fashioned me and my Amelia. Decades and centuries have not blurred his focus. Rather, he has kept the blueprints on file and tweaked them according to his desire.
All of us share some similarities with members of our family tree. If not physically, then perhaps along the lines of personality and preferences. We can’t help but wear some of the influence of our upbringing. For good or for ill, it is the stock trade we’ve been portioned and is worthy of our attention this day.
For all of the ways we clothe our flesh with the family DNA, none is more important than the way that we wear our heritage of faith.
If you were raised in a family void of God and grace, then some of your cloaking may wear lean and empty and seemingly full of pointless. If, however, you were surrounded by the truth of Jesus and his love during your formative years, then your cloaking may wear warmer and richer and full of purpose. Either way, it matters what you wear because our faith is the rooting for the next generation of young minds and hearts.
I don’t want to simply resemble my grandmother in looks. I want to resemble her in the way that she lived her faith.
In the same way, I don’t want my daughter to simply favor me in the mirror. I want her to favor me in her heart. I want her to love Jesus more than she loves her momma or her daddy or her big, beautiful brothers. I want her to wake up each day knowing that her mother’s faith lives on in her. That she can walk and talk and journey through this life with her Creator by her side. That she can be a woman of kingdom influence because her family tree is rooted in the depths of a sacred soil.
It is a soil that began with a long-ago garden’s planting and that will one day end in a soon-to-be garden’s harvest. Jesus, himself, will come to gather his own. We are his own—co-heirs of the promise and children of the Most High God. We are a lavishly loved people because that is the way of a Father’ heart. To love and to shape and to change us into his incredible likeness day by day.
Not because our God needs a following. Not because his ego dictates an audience, but rather, because, our Father longs to give us his forever.
And forever, my friends, includes our full becoming—an “as he is” likeness because the power of Calvary’s bloodline lives and breathes in our spiritual DNA through faith in Jesus Christ. We are the seeded hope of our Father’s sacred intention. He means for us to look like him. To act like him. To love like him, and to grace like him.
We were created in God’s image, intended for his resemblance. No greater words of commendation could ever be spoken over our earthly lives.
To mirror Jesus is to herald the message of connection…
of belonging.
of fitting.
of having roots…past, present, and future.
And if faith is to be raised in this generation, then we must embrace the truth of our spiritual DNA. We must be willing, in turn, to pass it on to the next generation of believers.
Genetic DNA lasts but a lifetime. Spiritual DNA, however, lasts for all eternity. The family tree that we share with Jesus is the one that will trace us to our forever. It is rooted in Love. It will end in Love, and it will continue to bloom because of Love.
Indeed, how great is the love of our Father that we should be called sons and daughters of his! And that is what we are!
And that, my friends, is more than enough for me this day, and so I pray,
Thank you, Father, for calling me yours. For giving me your image and for breathing your Spirit into this feeble flesh. Transform my heart, my soul, my mind, and my will into your likeness. Let my life mirror your reflection in everything that I say and do; let me believe beyond my faith and grow my faith to mirror my belief. Teach me how to teach my children the value of their spiritual heritage. Not just in words, Father, but in living the message of connection that weaves from Thee to me and to my beyond. Above all, thank you for loving me as I am and for growing a family tree that includes a branch named Faith. I am forever humbled by your extravagant grace. Amen.
Copyright © August 2008 – Elaine Olsen. All rights reserved.
Happy Birthday, Amelia! You are a precious, sweet little girl. I hope your special day is perfect.
Love,
Ms. Lynn
Happy Birthday to dear Amelia!
Elaine, I look just like my grandma – and I am told my personality matches hers as well.
That has always been something that I hold dear.
I love this post – because yes, how I desire to be like Jesus. To mirror his image – when people see and meet me, I want them to see and meet Jesus!
Blessings on your day sweet friend!
What a great post, Elaine!
And Happy Birthday to Amelia! (which is also my mother’s middle name!)
My mom says that I’m just like my dad’s mother (I never knew her), but the way she says it, I don’t think she means it in a good way!! 🙂
Beautiful! Both the post and the birthday girl (and her momma)!
Happy Birthday Amelia!
Your daughter is so cute. Except for the hair color I think you two still look alike. I love the pic on the matching blue chairs and sodas.
My dad’s bday is today. The big 6-0 but I’m not letting him know I know. Surprise in the works.
I’m so glad that my family tree, like yours, included a branch named ‘Faith’! And I, too, want to pass that down to my heirs!
Loved the post today. Amelia was beautiful when she was born and still beautiful today! And yes…I do think you look like your grandmother and that Amelia looks like you!
God bless you my Friend!
Marilyn in MS
Of course…reading your post today brought huge tears to my eyes! In a good way, though…
xox
Precious milestones!
Happy Birthday, Amelia. We remember with joy the day six years ago that your beautiful and talented mother brought you into the world and into our hearts. Thank you for the happiness that you give us. We enjoyed being a part of your birthday party on Saturday. It was fun to watch you and your friends painting pottery. We also enjoyed the chocolate cake!!!
Love, Grandma and Grandpa
Happy Birthday, Amelia – and many, MANY blessings to your sweet mama, who shares her spiritual blessings AND DNA with us. Wonderful.
This was a blessing to read, and look at the GENETIC DNA.
God blesses my heart so much with the spiritual DNA, in the fact that even though I have no blood children, I DO HAVE SPIRITUAL CHILDREN and with that, there is a spiritual DNA I pray they grasp and run with.
Love to you and Miss Amelia!
Yolanda
Great post Elaine. It’s such a feeling of peace to know I’m from the family of Christ. blessings, marlene
Happy Birthday to your sweet one!!
I was thinking about the heritage my Grandparents passed down to us just this weekend…so rich with family and spiritual blessings…
Happy Birthday Miss Amelia! You are a beautiful girl!
I’ve often thought from the photos you post, that Amelia looks a lot like you!!!
No doubt, her spiritual DNA has been (and will continue to be) profoundly affected by the daily example of her Momma’s heart for Jesus. What a legacy.
Blessings,
Tracy
Happy Birthday to Amelia.
What a precious post this is, Elaine, a heritage that leaves an eternal legacy. In recent times I have seen the marks of the legacy passed on by my parents and ancestors. My parents were the first Christians in their family line that we know of, so my faith heritage does not run as deep and rich as yours, but I pray that with my children, it will be much deeper and richer.
This was a tender reminder to me of what I am passing on. Thank you.
Happy Birthday to Amelia! Precious and beautiful!
You definitely favor your grandmother! I enjoyed the “look alike” pictures and the central message that this post brings, “Genetic DNA
last but a lifetime. Spiritual DNA
however,lasts for all eternity.”
mary
wifeforthejourney:
Our daughter is the best unexpected suprise ever! God knew you needed a little girl to share your life with, and how Amelia has reflected so many of your own wonderful qualities. For those of you who know us via the internet alone, let me say that (while the pictures are good), appreciating how much mother and daughter are alike is something that happens best in person.
There is such a connection of body, of heart and spirit between the two girls in our family. Amelia is “little elaine” in all the best possible ways. And except for the fact that Amelia’s hair is lighter in color, she SO resembles her mom. I’m flattered by any comparions between daddy and daughter, but the fact is that anyone who would say Amelia and I are alike have not spent enough time around Elaine!
When, in Genesis 2:18, the Lord says “its not good that man should be alone,” I find myself blessed not only with my wife (yep, she’s awesome) BUT I also get a daughter to raise! Every birthday is better than the last. I can still carry Amelia up the steps to bed, and she will always be the baby girl. May the Lord always help me to treasure the one who carried our children first!
Elaine, you are the reason our children are beautiful!
“peaceformyjourney” started when you God brought you into my life, and I can’t imagine it ever being better than being your husband!
Love, Billy
As usual, I love your post! thw generational changes we live in are good and bad…I love the generatrion of our grandparents and what they brought to us and our country. You do look like your grandmother and what a sweet blessing! The reality of it all is in the eternla significance though, not the DNA…
In His races~Pamela
What a beautiful post on our spiritual heritage!
Happy “Belated” Birthday, Amelia!:)
And as always, Elaine, God gave you some more beautiful words to share.
I love the pictures of you and your grandmother and you and Amelia. It is so amazing what physical and personality traits that God passes down.
My grandfather passed away when I was around 10-11, and it devastated me. I just loved him so much, and how he loved me! I named my first son after him, and then my second son came out of the womb, and the first thing we saw was the dimple in his chin…..It was just like the one in my Grandfather’s chin.:)
Even more amazing that we could resemble Jesus!
God Bless,
Amy:)
What a beautiful post. I love the display of faith that you have and hoping your VBS is wonderful this week. Ours is going on also and what a blessing it has been! Love your bracelet. Where did you get it?
Hey there,
I’ve been thinking about you and whispering prayers toward Heaven on your behalf when I see your name and your thoughts on blogs we both visit. I’ve stopped by to see you here a few times but don’t always leave a comment so today I wanted to let you know I came by.
I love reading about all that He is doing in your life. What a beautiful post about your daughter, your grandmother. I really enjoyed hearing about your husband/son’s mission trip. And I loved reading about how God had you teach about Gideon at VBS and seeing the bracelet you were. I would love to have one those! I had no idea how much God was using that story in your life and mine at the same time, as you know from the message I shared on doubt. He sure has a way of pursuing our hearts so beautifully with the same message again and again. I am with you, I am your strength, I am sending you.
Take care my friend,
Renee
Hey Elaine, Happy Birthday (belated) Amelia! You are beautiful and you favor your Mom…and Elaine you favor your G-mama so much…I know you are so proud of your family. I am enjoying your blog and all the rich blessing you are sending our way..It is such a treat on the days you blog. Keep it coming, girl…
Sister in Christ,
TCooke
“Genetic DNA lasts but a lifetime. Spiritual DNA, however, lasts for all eternity.”….Amen and thank you God for this little piece of grace!
We were just talking this past week about how I did not stand the chance of being a soften spoken..not speak your own mind woman. My grandmothers on both sides and my Mom….are women who spoke what they thought. Dad’s Mom did not become a Christian until later in life….so what she spoke really could have been tempered by God. My Mom’s mother was a Godly woman….but you still knew she was in the room. I guess you could say, she had presence. And Mom…she is a work of God. She has taught me by her life that God shinning through us is the most beautiful thing.
Many people who know Mom see me for the first time and know with out a doubt who I belong to. We look a lot a like on the inside and out.
We push each other in our relationships with God….so hopefully we will look alike for a long time.
Maybe one day someone will say that my daughter resembles me on the inside and out.
Good post….sorry for the long comment. Sometimes it is hard holding these fingers back. 🙂
There really are a lot of birthdays going around, aren’t there? Congratulations to your sweet Amelia who has such a great heritage to be part of!
I appreciated this post. It’s a blessing to have a strong spiritual heritage; it’s also a blessing to know that God has the power to alter generations of spiritual DNA so that future generations may follow him even where previous generations didn’t!
Blessings friend,
Mary
Happy Belated Birthday Amelia! Hope you had a wonderful day. Your birthday is close to mine. I’m August 14th!
Elaine, this post reminded me of one I wrote back on May 31st, “Mistaken Identity”.
Praying others will see Jesus in me,
Joy
Happy belated birthday, Amelia!
Beautiful post, Elaine! I pray every day that I can pass on a spiritual heritage to our daught`er. That I don’t mess it up.