7.

You’re only seconds old. Everything is new.
 You, your noises, my feelings, this love. 

Your entire face is turned in my direction. You know me. Instant bond.
Your eyes open and we stare deeply into each other.
I love you madly, from the deepest parts of myself. 

A love I never fathomed.

You’re one and walking.
They told me it would happen and still I’m astounded when it does. 

Your perspective is new.
Everything is suddenly within reach. 

You’re two and full of life. You sing full blast and you don't care who is watching. 

Your world is expanding by leaps and bounds. You don't like to be called baby anymore.

You're three and you welcome your new baby sister with love.  

You are kind and gentle. 

You are four and you carry the title "Princess" now. It suits you.

You’re five and for the first time you’re more you than me or your dad. 

You’ve got new thoughts and loud arguments and intense conversations.

You're six and your heart has been broken. A friend used mean words. 

It's your first heartbreak. The first of many.
Embrace each one. Learn from the pain. 

You are learning to be a great friend.
A friend every girl needs.

Today, you're seven.

Each year brings something new I could never have known to expect. 

You are my first. 

You will always be the one who introduces me to the new.

You teach me.

You mold me.

You show me.

You make me new.

You make me into the mother I am becoming. 

Take my hand when you blow out those candles. Take my hand because I can’t bear to be left behind.

Let’s keep making wishes together.

Fighting to Find Truth

I have something really important to tell you today.

Dig deep and let this get past your self-doubts and bury itself into those assurance-seeking places in your heart...

God is absolutely crazy about you!
Yes you. The beautiful one sitting there looking at the screen.

You fill God's heart with absolute joy. Every day you take His breath away with your smile.
Just a slight glance in His direction makes Him pause. He loves the unique way you do things. He really enjoys watching others love on you and bring out His best in you. And He's not critical of your mistakes like you sometimes think. He's also not sitting around waiting for you to do more. He simply delights in you because you are His. And that is enough.

Many of us have experienced “Spiritual Identity Theft.” We’ve somehow lost our confidence in who we are in Christ, and we feel worthless or wounded by someone’s words.

Others of us hold in our hearts a false identity. We believe a lie about ourselves and we have allowed that lie to define us.

I don’t think those hurtful words are easily forgotten but I do know healing and wholeness can become reality in our lives when we learn how to embrace God’s truth. You do not have to let others’ hurtful words define you anymore.

So many times the negative, painful memories take up permanent residence and it's really hard work to focus on the good ones.  I think we just need to be more disciplined.  We need to be intentional and careful about what thoughts we entertain. We give them the power. We enable them.

During one especially painful time in my life, a good friend suggested that I should "fast" the painful thoughts.  I did not allow myself to dwell there. It was intentional. It was difficult. But it was very rewarding.   Try a seven-day fast by not speaking anything negative about yourself or repeating any lies that have been spoken over you or about you.  Don't entertain the thoughts. If they creep in, shut them down instantly. Do not engage.


Know the Truth. You Are...
Chosen By God (John 15:16)
A New Creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Holy and Pure (1 Peter 2:9)
A Trophy of His Grace (Ephesians 2:8)
His Princess Warrior (2 Timothy 4:7)
His Beloved Bride (Psalm 45:11)