Issue link: https://discover.cph.org/i/1439583
My nephew turned one this past year. Despite the pandemic, my brother and sister-in-law found ways to mark the moment and celebrate Liam's first year of life—and their first year of parenthood. Family members mailed them cards. My mom made a caterpillar-shaped cake comprised of individual green cupcakes for a small group to enjoy. My husband and I jumped on the Zoom call to see Liam playing with our gift. After singing a song of God's blessings over Liam (to the tune of "Happy Birthday"), we anticipated the highlight of the party: watching him eat his cake, however he chose to feed himself. As silly as it might sound, this cake-eating ritual is an example of a life milestone, a moment set apart to celebrate a gift given by God. In this case, that gift is life itself. Intentionally connecting life moments to prayer, God's Word, community, and the larger story of God's work in the world allows us opportunities to see life with eyes of faith. Throughout this issue of Lutheran Life, we'll consider various life milestones and how to intentionally connect them to our walk with Jesus, celebrating how God is at work during significant—and seemingly insignificant—moments in life. Celebrating milestones in the life of faith isn't a new idea. After His people crossed the Jordan River, God told them to set up stones so they would remember what He had done for them and as a way to teach their children about His love and faithfulness: And He said to the people of Israel, "When your children ask their fathers in times to come, 'What do these stones mean?' then you shall let your children know, 'Israel passed over this Jordan on dry ground.' For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you passed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea, which He dried up for us until we passed over, so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever." ( Joshua 4:21–24) m i l e s t o n e s i n o u r l i f e o f f a i t h BY AMY BIRD 2 Lutheran Life