My Lily girl -
As we celebrate the 3 year mark that
you joined our lives, I am overcome with emotion. The more I get to
know you, the more my love for you grows. Another trip around the
sun has given me an increasing amount of opportunities to adore and
cherish the girl God made you to be.
I think back on this time last year.
We didn't know yet that soon it would be revealed that your sibling
was coming! I remember over the course of those nine months carrying
your brother, I would often get teary pondering over the idea that it
would never again be just me and you. But, my how naïve that was.
It is, in fact, one of my most favorite things about having two
children...watching you two discover your relationship and delighting
in each other's presence. My deep desire is that you will grow to
become the best of friends.
My, oh my, have you developed so much
in the past 365 days. It is not uncommon for me to pause and think
“What 2 year old says/does these things?” We frequently are told
by others that you are advanced for your age, which translates to us
that you will always be keeping us on our toes! I can now pinpoint
some of the ways that God has specifically gifted you.
You are incredibly perceptive and
observant. Rarely does a facial expression or tone of voice be
witnessed by you without a comment. I hope that someday you will use
this for God's great purposes and glory. Your listening ear will
bring good things. You are a nurturer to the core. Amidst the many
tasks I have in caring for a newborn, I can be sure to find you
paralleling these actions with your babies and stuffed animals. You
are wired to love order and routine. If something is not as it
should be, it's a big deal to you! Everything has to be “just so”
and you are ever so careful and particular about the daily functions
of our home. You are relational. It is a thrill of yours to have
Daddy or I say some silly phrase you've come up with. When we ask
you, “Where did you get that?”, most of the time you answer “From
Jesus!” So precious.
You are independent to say the least.
There's never a question as to what you need or want. You know
exactly what you want and how you plan to achieve it. While this is
a good leadership quality, it will be my task as your mother to teach
you that we are to lean not on our own understanding. To instead
fully depend on and trust our heavenly Father for all things. My
sweet daughter, I will be continually learning this over and over
again, right along with you.
Your memory astounds me. You have been
known to recount events that happened over six months ago. In your
short lifetime on this planet, that's impressive. I have heaps of
joy in knowing that those memories you can so readily recall were
beautiful moments God made and we shared.
As if the very existence of your life
weren't enough of a reward, you are now gracing me with saying,
“You're a good mom, Mom.” It makes me giggle but even more, it
strikes a chord down deep into the layers of my heart that you would
spontaneously offer up a gift of praise to your mama. I am seeing
your overflow of gratitude.
Our bedroom routine is a special time.
As we softly sing 'Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus', my heart is in the
most content place. The prayers you offer up are real and personal
and I feel privileged to be near as you learn to talk to God about
anything and everything. Now that you're in a big girl bed, I have
so much fun cuddling with you when given the opportunity. I think we
will look back and cherish those times of snuggling just before sleep
descended upon you, at the end of another day.
And last but most definitely not least,
is the treasure of the relationship between you and your Daddy.
Throughout the day, you'll quip, “Let's tell Daddy when he gets
home!” I love that you want to be certain he shares our joys in
life. Without fail, your little feet pound across the tile as you
round the corner and become enveloped in his arms every evening as he
returns to us. The glimmer in your eyes is enough to make me well up
inside. It's what every girl should experience with her father and
it's beyond my vocabulary to express how grateful I am that you
always will. What a perfect illustration of how God our Father
reaches out His arms to welcome us into a relationship with Him. You
are a daughter not only of your amazing earthly father but also of
the King of the universe. Let it blow your mind. Let it compel you
to change and do what's right even when it's hard. I look forward to
seeing you discover a love like that more and more as the years
unfold.
Even our times of discipline are
beautiful. It is clear to me that this coming year will have more of
those times than we've ever had before. In fact, the past month has
given me a preview and some ideas of what we'll need to work on. It
will surely be painful but God, by His grace, has allowed me glimpses
of the harvest of righteousness it will produce. The tender moments
that follow are worth more than gold. Slowly I am seeing through
your words and actions that the gospel is taking shape in your heart.
You can articulate that your disobedience is sin and that was the
cause of Jesus's death on the cross. That it makes God sad and that
He died so we could be made right with God again. You have come to
claim that story as your favorite in the Jesus Storybook Bible.
Every time we sit down to read, it's the first one you request. I
too need to be reminded again and again of what He's done for us –
His sacrifice – so, thank you.
You, my girl, are strong and beautiful.
You are a sight to behold! No matter how rough the day has been,
all I simply have to do is creep quietly into your room and watch you
peacefully breathe in and breathe out. Each breath a gift from God.
I am overjoyed that I get to be your mother for the next and the next
and the next....
All my love,
Mommy
No comments:
Post a Comment