LL OF US ENJOY CELEBRATIONS. IT'S a part of who we are. Sometime during the course of any given year, my wife and I will receive approximately 25 to 30 invitations for graduations, weddings, baby blessings, and the like. We enjoy the unusual pleasure of 33 godchildren, more than 40 nieces and nephews, and literally hundreds of children of friends and family from all over the world to whom we have become "Uncle Steve" and "Aunt Diane."

It's so exciting to welcome these invitations, knowing the younger set is moving to the next level of progress in life. Whenever possible, we find some method of celebrating important events and occasions with our friends and their families.

Here's One I'll Never Forget
One invitation for celebration will forever stand out in our minds as an "invitation of invitations." I'd had only a brief contact with little 7-year-old Abeni at junior camp, where I served as camp pastor. Her enthusiasm for life was like a bottle of ginger ale that would never lose its fizz. She was bubbly. Her excitement for camp Bible study class was enormous. On the first evening I made an invitation for these young people to accept Christ as their personal Savior and be baptized, she made her decision--that very day. When I notified Abeni's parents of her decision, they too were excited and made plans to attend camp for their daughter's baptism the following Sabbath.

Abeni's mom and dad were so excited about their daughter's decision to accept Christ as her personal Savior and be baptized, they declared: "We must celebrate!"

They invited family and friends from all over the country to share in the occasion. With all of the planning, you would have thought that their daughter was getting married.

Dinner fit for a celebrity was prepared, and one by one, well-wishers flocked to the microphone to express their delight and appreciation for Abeni's early life of dedication to God--and now the decision to commit her young life to God. As little Abeni sat in the seat of honor, pastors, teachers, friends, family, and others brought words of encouragement and made speeches highlighting this wonderful and life-changing decision. As they each moved forward to make their address, they placed in little Abeni's hand bouquets of flowers, cards, and letters to encourage her in her new experience. Many who could not attend sent telegrams, letters, and notes of congratulations.

It was an occasion of splendor and grandeur. Moms and dads have the privilege of setting the agenda for our children as to what is important, what is significant, and what is eternal. How quickly we show our elation over our child's first spoken word, their promotion from kindergarten to first grade, and their eventual graduation from any level of academic accomplishment!

These are indeed notable accomplishments and worthy of recognition. However, when a child makes a decision for Christ, we sometimes fail to make as big a deal of that occasion as we do an accomplishment that is recognized by society in general. But any decision that a child makes for Christ, for right, and for righteousness is a victory for Christ and a victory for the kingdom. And that decision deserves to be as highly recognized and celebrated as much as any earthly accomplishment.

This mom and dad did not seem to fit the norm. I was impressed. These parents celebrated their child's spiritual decision! Not the usual birthday or graduation, but Without doubt, it's the premier decision one can make as a child, and as an adult.

I am sure that Abeni will fill her days with accomplishments and victories, but none will be greater than this--none will have the lasting impact of this decision.

Like a Powerful Beacon
Have you celebrated recently the anniversary of your first decision to accept Jesus Christ into your life? Do you even remember the day? Did it make the kind of indelible impression on your mind that it deserved? Our initial choice for Christ is an event of such significance that throughout our lives it can stand as a powerful lighthouse encouraging us to daily resist any lessening of our commitment to the Savior.

We who are parents should never fail to affirm our children's decisions that impact their lives for good for time and eternity. This is a ministry of the highest order.

As for me, I'll be at camp again this year, looking for parents like Abeni's, who are spiritually attuned, who know how and when to celebrate the significant.

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Stephen P. Ruff is the stewardship and trust services director of the South Central Conference in Nashville, Tennessee.