Corrie Emma – (def) – delight, strong, steady, beautiful, great laugh, clear thinker, youngest child, recent high school graduate.

It’s happening.  Our youngest child is a high school graduate.  Sunday was our celebration.  The morning was spent worshipping together at the church that we planted in 1995 in Wilmore, KY.  Great Commission Fellowship is where Corrie Emma spent her most formative years.  Sitting behind her this past weekend brought back a beautiful memory.  I watched her lift her hands toward Jesus while singing from her heart and I remembered one of the most significant Sundays of my life.

I was standing on the platform at GCF enjoying the beauty of hundreds of people passionately singing to Jesus.  I watched as Corrie Emma, probably only 7 years old, made her way to the front of the tabernacle.  She was wearing a beautiful new dress with pink flowers on it.  As the band played and the congregation sang, Corrie Emma began to dance before the Lord.  It literally took my breath away.  I stood there thinking that this was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.  Part of me wanted to rush down to her, lift her up and dance with her.  But she was so much more free to worship than I was.

I felt such strong love for her.

As I continued watching and worshipping, the presence of the Lord became so real.  I heard His voice.  It was inside, but I heard Him.

“The way that you feel about her is the way that I feel about you.”

It felt as though He were rushing down to me and lifting me up in a dance.  I will never forget how close He was and how loved I felt.

We spent Sunday evening celebrating with family and friends.  Corrie Emma’s siblings were there from Vermont and Indiana, so were aunts and uncles, a bunch of cousins, and both sets of grandparents.  What a wonderful day.  What an amazing girl.

Jesus, thank You for Corrie Emma.  Thank You for continuing to pursue her so that she has remained steady in pursuing You.  Continue to lead her in the dance.  Keep her heart tender and her mind clear.  Protect her from the evil one.  As she grows further into adulthood, help her to listen to you and follow each step that you take with her.  Give her even more strength and pour out your grace and power on her. 

Jesus, thank You for giving Corrie Emma to us and for using her to show us even more of Your love.  Amen.