My Lily girl,
Every year that I sit down to write you a birthday letter, I am just more in love with the girl God made you to be.
We have been enjoying our second full year of homeschooling and I view it as such a privilege that God has called us to it. You have grown so much in your reading skills! Your eyes light up as you discover the beauty of the written word. It's a huge blessing to my heart that we share a love for books.
One key characteristic of yours that stands out to me over the past year is compassion. You are moved to show love to the hurting and I have great confidence that the Lord will use you to minister to others. There is much brokenness in this world and we need people like you, to reach out and touch it. I believe you will and I believe God will get the glory and you'll get a whole bunch of joy. It's the adverse circumstances that cry out for compassion, like when Grandma Shirley went home to Heaven a few weeks ago. Every time I would glance over your direction, I would see your hand rubbing your grandma's back or your arm around her. It was a beautiful sight to behold and I praised God for the way He's working in you.
I have also come to see you as a teacher. You delight in passing along truth to other people. In our home, this mostly manifests itself in your relationship with Silas. I have to keep gently reminding you that we need to let him answer so he can learn. :) Another context you've loved the opportunity to use this gift is in the D6 room at church. Every few weeks I'm scheduled in the 1st & 2nd grade room to teach during the second service. Every time, you choose to attend first service and then stick around for second, so you can be my little assistant, "teaching" all the things you learned the hour before. We have such a great time together doing this! And I am happy to let you practice using this gift that will inevitably reap blessings down the road. As I dream about the future homecoming of Sacre and Jovanie, I see this as a way that God perfectly planned things for our family. You have already been telling me all of the things you're excited to show and teach your brother and sister. You are most of all eager to share your love with them.
Even the challenges and working on heart issues have been something that I've grown to be thankful for. There are a couple classes within our homeschool co-op group that you're not a big fan of. One morning when I was your class aide, I observed that you refused to participate. It ended up being a great teachable moment later. Our hearts connected as I entered in and empathized with the fact that sometimes life presents situations that aren't our favorite. But we must be people that are open and flexible. You agreed that you'll be willing to give things a chance, even if you're doubtful. That will take you so far, sweetie!
Another area that has been a huge theme to work on, is trust. Oh, how I identify with this one also! And I think God, in His amazing way, uses our own struggles as parents as a humbling tool, so we can stoop down to help our children with theirs. It's really quite beautiful when I slow down to see it as such. The other day we were walking back from the park and I started to cross the road, while you stood on the curb, being the careful, responsible person that you are. You were held back because to you, it didn't seem like it was safe or that you had enough to make it across. After the car was gone, you crossed, in tears. I let you know that it is good to be responsible but even more important is the ability to trust loving authority. You do know some things (quite a bit for your age, actually!), but in that instance, there were things I knew that you didn't. I could see the car was turning from its signal, and wouldn't cross our path. And also, that even if it did, we have the right-of-way as pedestrians. I was struck by how this all applies to our relationship with God! Often times, He will ask us to step out, follow and obey when it doesn't make sense with what we do know. But we must remember, He knows things we don't! That's where the trusting comes in. He leads, and it's for our best that we simply follow. While crossing the road, it is not the time to stop and have a conversation about the situation or for the authority to explain why. Crossing together is all that is needed. Then later, we can pause and I'm delighted to enter in and teach those things you didn't yet know. And it gives me joy to equip you for the future! If you'll let it, those moments will give you fuel to trust me (and ultimately, God) all the more for the times ahead. This is the Father's same heart toward us.
Lily, you are a beautiful young lady on the inside and out. Your smile is radiant. Your eyes convey the sweetness that resides inside of you. Lately that sweetness has been spilling out onto letters you've been sending in the mail to people you care about. I am one blessed mom to get to hug you and kiss you and learn with you and laugh and cry and my favorite - to seek King Jesus alongside you. I look forward to all the tomorrows I get with you.
My love knows no bounds.
~Mommy
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