when you stare wide-eyed into the face of your child, you see life differently. your heart begs for a blank slate. a surface to learn anew.
here are just some the most recent lessons i have learned {am still learning} from my daughter...
one...
beauty really is in the eye of the beholder. perfect hair and manicured nails and spotless makeup do not make a girl beautiful. i am finding that i glance in the mirror less often. when i discover that i am stressing about how i look on the outside, my eyes drift to her. for she is the compass with which guides my insecurities. for i never {not for one single second} want her to feel less than what she was created to be. a wonderful masterpiece sculpted by the Creator of all heaven and earth.
two...
at some point in my history, food became the enemy. through much prayer and trusted counsel, i am relearning that food was meant to be enjoyed. all of it. life is about moderation. not denying yourself something in a fierce effort to obtain something that isn't real. and skinny isn't real. when a girl struggles with weight issues, skinny is unattainable. ask me how i know. i watch as my girl devours a cupcake, more of the icing and less of the cake. she enjoys every single last lick of that sugary sweetness. seconds later, she bites into a juicy watermelon as if she hasn't eaten in days. moderation. i don't dare stop her from experiencing the good in it all. and in doing so, i give myself permission over and over again to let go of the unattainable.
three...
a girl can be prissy and sporty. all at the same time. as much as she enjoys getting all gussied up, she loves being outdoors and playing sports. as a girl myself, i spent much of my time with a nose in the book. never venturing outdoors to try something new. for i allowed those lies whispered straight from hell to keep me from trying something different. from daring to move away from my comfort zone into territory that i may have enjoyed. but my girl, she is blazing a different trail. she will wear a dress and lip gloss while learning to play baseball in the front yard. she isn't afraid to try. and i dare anyone to squash that out of her precious heart. and as much as the world will lie to her and tell her to keep her place, i will shout louder. cheering her on from the sidelines as she follows her heart.
four...
everyone has something they cling to for security. that thing that makes them feel brave when they want to crumble. sleeping in a big girl bed by yourself can prove to be scary. so you snuggle up with safety knowing that morning light will come soon. while i watch her grip tightly to something that makes her feel safe, i pray that i am showing her how to cling to the One who shelters her from it all. the One who hides her in the wings of His protection. but the only way i can do that is by holding on to Jesus with all my might.
five...
everyday should have a bit of silly mixed in. life isn't to be taken so seriously. and i tend to make mountains out of molehills. i'm learning to still myself long enough to be a goof. to dance wild and free. to sing at the top of my lungs. to make silly faces. to giggle and tickle and make fun. praying she always enjoys life as much as she does now.
a little over three years into this journey and i'm learning more about life and love every day. only One could gift me with such grace. as much as i fail her and get it wrong, i relish the moments. all of them. the ones that are sweet and the ones that are sour. she is book that can't put down. a lesson i will never stop learning. a gift i will not stop opening. the joy in all of my days.
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